Assumption Parish’s K-3 Reading Proficiency Climbs 21 Points During 2025-2026 School Year

The Assumption Parish Schools’ students in kindergarten through third grade posted strong reading gains during the 2025-2026 school year, according to the literacy screener results released this week by the Louisiana Department of Education.

Assumption Parish’s K-3 students showed a 21.0 percentage-point increase overall in reading on or above grade level from the beginning to end of the school year, the report said. Assumption Parish Schools greatly exceeded the state’s overall improvement rate of 16.5 percent.

“The state’s literacy screener is a true gauge of the work our teachers do each day to academically grow our students. Our teachers have committed themselves to a back-to-basics approach grounded in the science of reading, and the results are showing,” said Superintendent Dr. John Barthelemy.

Rachel Dugas, director of Elementary Education and Early Childhood, noted that reading on or above level at an early age is the strongest indicator of a child’s ability to succeed in school.

“Assumption Parish Schools is the best place for our children to receive targeted, explicit reading instruction needed at an early age. In addition to our emphasis on foundational literacy skills, which is introduced in Head Start and Preschool and carried out through 3rd grade, Assumption Parish Schools provides individualized tutoring opportunities for our students to close any reading gaps,” Dugas said.

Additionally, research from the Harvard Graduate School of Education supports that learning to read in the early elementary years is about much more than reading books; it provides children with the foundation needed to succeed in every academic subject. A child's reading ability by the end of third grade is one of the strongest predictors of future academic achievement, high school graduation, and opportunities later in life, according to Harvard’s analysis.

Dr. Barthelemy said the district has heavily invested in reading resources, and teachers at the K-3 levels are continuing to strengthen their learning plans over the summer through comprehensive workshops and professional development programs.

 “We are committed to providing the best education in our parish through focused efforts that we know will advance each child’s learning ability,” he said.

The Louisiana Department of Education’s literacy screener report showed every grade level for K-3 in Assumption Parish Schools improved during the school year, with kindergarten students posting the largest gains. The district’s kindergartners increased more than 40 points from the beginning to the end of the school year. At the beginning of the school year, 30.9 percent of kindergartners were reading on-level or above, but by the year’s end, 73.2 percent were reading on-level or above.

First graders reading on-level or above improved from 46.2 percent to 62.4 percent, second graders jumped from 50.3 percent to 71 percent, and third graders grew from 58.5 percent to 63.2 percent.

“Our numbers are outpacing the state average, which is also showing a positive growth pattern. In fact, the state has shown significant growth in literacy for K-3 students for three consecutive years, and we are matching that trend, but at a better pace,” Barthelemy said.

Louisiana continues to strengthen early literacy instruction through practices grounded in the science of reading. The state’s comprehensive approach includes high-quality instructional materials, high-dosage tutoring, professional learning, coaching support, and individualized academic support plans for students who need additional help.

These efforts give teachers the tools and information to identify reading gaps early and provide targeted support during the students’ foundational elementary years.

“The best place for a child to begin his or her educational journey is in the Assumption Parish School System's Early Childhood Program. From Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade, our students receive high-quality instruction, individualized support, and enriching experiences that research has shown are essential for future success,” Dr. Barthelemy said.

“Children who develop strong reading and learning skills in these early years are more likely to excel academically, graduate from high school, and pursue greater opportunities throughout their lives,” he iterated. “When you choose Assumption Parish Early Childhood, you are choosing a proven pathway that gives your child the strongest foundation for a bright and successful future.”