New data released on May 13 by the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University and the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University show that the East Baton Rouge Parish School System is among the fastest‑improving school districts in the nation in math and reading achievement coming out of the pandemic.
EBR Schools Superintendent LaMont Cole joined Gov. Jeff Landry, state Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley, students, and a host of other elected officials and guests during a press conference at Park Medical Academy.
Louisiana ranked first among states in reading growth and second in math in the 2026 National Education Scoreboard released by researchers from Harvard University, Stanford University and Dartmouth College. Louisiana is the only state where average student performance has surpassed 2019 levels in both reading and math.
While average achievement levels remain below national benchmarks, the district’s rate of academic improvement significantly outpaces both Louisiana averages and comparable districts nationwide, highlighting a strong trajectory of recovery.
EBR Schools ranks in the 88th percentile nationally for math achievement growth and the 80th percentile for reading achievement growth. These rankings indicate the district is improving faster than the vast majority of U.S. school systems, even amid significant socioeconomic challenges and the lingering effects of the pandemic.
Since 2022, EBRPSS students have gained an average of +0.10 grade levels per year, exceeding the Louisiana state average of +0.06 and the +0.08 average among socioeconomically similar districts such as Caddo and Lafayette parishes.
“East Baton Rouge Parish is demonstrating a remarkable ability to bounce back,” the report notes, pointing to consistent gains in both math and reading across multiple student groups.
The report also underscores ongoing challenges. Despite recent progress, students in East Baton Rouge Parish currently perform 1.50 grade levels below the 2019 national average, reinforcing the need to sustain and accelerate improvement efforts.
“The progress we’re seeing in LEAP reading and math reflects a disciplined, districtwide focus on instructional quality and equity,” said EBR Schools Superintendent LaMont Cole. “Over the past three years, we have made purposeful investments in standards‑aligned curriculum, strengthened professional learning for educators and used assessment data more strategically to respond to student needs. These efforts, along with expanded tutoring and additional learning time, are driving measurable improvement.”
Cole added, “To sustain and accelerate these gains, we are continuing key initiatives such as school realignment, start‑time changes and the creation of K–2 foundational learning centers to strengthen early literacy and math, while deepening partnerships with families and the community to support long‑term student success.”
