Louisiana is set to adopt a tougher rating system for K-12 schools in an effort to raise standards and spur improvements that could leave many schools with lower grades.
State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley and members of the state board of education have led the charge, arguing that the current school-accountability system is confusing and sets a low bar for student achievement. They note that two-thirds of high schools earn As or Bs under the current system while only 1 in 5 students are ready for college-level math.
“We need a system that will improve student performance,” Brumley said in a recent interview, adding that the grading system should be “simple and transparent.”