Unlocking Educational Success: How One State is Mastering the Basics for Exceptional Learning

Another year has passed, and the results from the nation’s report card show a troubling trend in education.

Math and reading scores are declining, with each year bringing worse news. The latest figures from the National Assessment of Educational Progress illuminate the struggle our students face.

Many students still feel the effects of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely driven by teachers’ unions and supportive politicians.

The recent exam was given in early 2024 to fourth- and eighth-graders across the nation. What can schools do to fix this crisis?

First, we must acknowledge how serious the issue has become. Even before the pandemic, academic performance was on a downward spiral.

The disruptions caused by school closures did significant harm, especially to students from low-income families. But the seeds of these issues were planted long before, as schools slowly shifted away from education toward more ideological teaching.

There is hope, though, and Louisiana offers an encouraging example. This state saw a remarkable rise in scores, moving from 49th to 32nd place nationwide.

Among all the states, Louisiana was the only one to recover its pre-pandemic reading scores, even improving them by six points since 2019.

What did Louisiana do right? According to Cade Brumley, the state’s superintendent of education, they focused on the fundamentals.

In 2021, Louisiana’s Legislature passed Act 108, which requires all early-grade teachers to take a course on the “science of reading.” This training emphasizes phonics and phonemic awareness, a more effective approach than the “balanced literacy” methods that focus on memorization and guessing.

Louisiana didn’t stop at reading. Math scores for fourth graders are also on the rise, placing high in the nation for growth. To reinforce math basics, they distributed classic flashcards with math facts to every elementary school.

Another significant move was implementing high-dosage tutoring for kids from kindergarten to grade 5. Any student struggling in reading or math must receive tutoring throughout the week to boost their skills.

These strategies reflect a straightforward approach that many schools seemed to have forgotten. It emphasizes teaching essential skills rather than getting caught up in trendy educational theories.

Moreover, Louisiana is increasing transparency in education. Schools conduct regular literacy tests, allowing parents to see how their children are performing and to intervene if necessary.

Another vital reform is ending social promotion—the practice of advancing students to the next grade regardless of their performance. Under a new law, third-graders who are far behind in reading must repeat the grade, promoting a “merit matters” mindset across all grades.

This change addresses a longstanding issue where students were passed along without mastering essential skills, leading to a greater cycle of failure.

The education system has traditionally lacked accountability, with public schools receiving funding regardless of performance and ineffective teachers facing little consequence.

Holding back underperforming students could shift this dynamic, bringing about much-needed accountability in schools.

Another step forward is the introduction of universal school choice, which allows parents to move their children out of failing schools. This law empowers families to seek better educational opportunities.

Childhood is fleeting, and students shouldn’t have to wait for schools to prioritize essential subjects like math and reading over political issues.

The story from Louisiana is encouraging, as education leaders are aware that their work is far from over. While they celebrate improvements, too many students are still falling behind.

“We can be pleased, but we can’t be satisfied,” Brumley emphasized. This attitude should resonate with schools across the country. America craves a return to normalcy, and that should extend to our educational systems.

It’s time for all schools to embrace a return to basics.

Karol Markowicz is co-author of the book “Stolen Youth.”