Overview
- State education officials released preliminary 2026 LEAP results on Monday showing a two-percentage-point increase in students scoring Mastery or Advanced, raising the statewide Mastery+ rate to 36% and noting that 28 of 31 tested grades or courses improved or held steady.
- Several districts reported big gains that outpaced the state: Bossier Parish posted a 4-point rise for grades 3–8 and more than half of students earned Mastery+ in ELA, DeSoto Parish reached 45% Mastery+ and grew overall by 3 points, and Caddo Schools recorded districtwide increases with individual schools posting double-digit jumps.
- Districts highlighted progress for key student groups, with DeSoto reporting English learners up 7 points and students with disabilities up 3 points while Caddo said its students with disabilities improved in grades 3–8 when the statewide rate did not.
- The LEAP results are the first test data to feed Louisiana’s new Grow. Achieve. Thrive. model, which raises proficiency bars and adds emphasis on academic growth and postsecondary readiness, and official School Performance Scores will be issued later this fall and could change some school and system ratings.
- Local leaders said they will use the new results to target instruction, identify students who need supports or enrichment, and refine plans for 2026–27, and communities should watch for the fall release of official scores for the full accountability picture.