Louisiana Approves Stricter School Grading System to Boost Accountability

New standards emphasize student improvement and higher achievement goals, set to take effect in 2026.

State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education committee's plan awaits full board approval.
Current high school grading system criticized for inflating performance with 67% receiving A's and B's.
New system will see only about 30% of high schools achieving top grades and impose a minimum ACT score of 20.
Revised metrics will double the weight of student improvement for elementary and middle schools.
Critics argue the changes may overemphasize test scores and undermine career and college prep programs.