Understanding Louisiana’s New Letter Grade Accountability System & How NOLA-PS’ Accountability Framework is Preparing for it. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): What is the Louisiana Department of Education’s (LDOE) new accountability system? The LDOE’s "Grow. Achieve. Thrive." accountability system, effective starting in the 2025-2026 school year, is a revised framework for evaluating Louisiana schools, including those within NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS). It focuses on three key areas: Grow (student academic growth), Achieve (proficiency in core subjects), and Thrive (post-graduation readiness). This streamlined system uses a 100-point School Performance Score (SPS) to measure success, aiming to be transparent and emphasize student progress and preparation for college or careers. Every subscore making up the SPS reflects the percentage of students who are achieving that standard. What is the NOLA-PS Charter School Accountability Framework (CSAF)? NOLA-PS’ Charter School Accountability Framework (CSAF) is a tool that sets the bar that schools need to meet in order to operate and establishes systems of oversight to ensure the rights of students and families are protected. It sets clear expectations and monitors performance in three domains: academic, financial, and organizational. The CSAF will be updated to align with the state’s "Grow. Achieve. Thrive." system, balancing school autonomy with accountability to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education. How does the new state system affect NOLA-PS schools? Starting in 2025-2026, NOLA-PS schools will be graded using the revised SPS formula, which emphasizes: This shift raises expectations and redistributes how schools are scored, rewarding growth while challenging schools to improve proficiency and readiness. How are NOLA-PS schools performing under this new system? NOLA-PS schools* show strengths and areas for growth. See chart below: Strengths: 43.3% of students show growth in math and 47.1% in English, with even higher rates (54.5% in math, 48% in English) among the lowest 25% of students. Challenges: English language acquisition is at 28.6%, proficiency lags (e.g., 24.8% in math vs. 37% in English), and acceleration into college/career pathways is at 19.1%, despite a 78.6% graduation rate. *These numbers reflect data from four schools that are no longer operating.
What will school grades look like under the new system? The state will set initial School Performance Score (SPS) grading scales in fall 2024 based on 2024 data (example: top 10% of schools earn an "A," next 20% a "B"). In fall 2024, using 2024 new simulated scores, LDOE will set new Letter Grade scales based on a curve according to relative performance of schools statewide. Once set, this scale will remain fixed through 2026. The scale will increase by 5 points for each letter grade when 50% of schools earn an "A" or "B," repeating this adjustment until the scale stabilizes at 90-100 for an "A" (see second chart).
How will this impact NOLA-PS schools moving forward? The new system’s focus on growth benefits schools already supporting struggling students, but weaker areas like proficiency and career/college readiness will require targeted improvements. NOLA-PS schools may see an initial dip in SPS scores due to the higher bar (example: 33 vs. 32 currently or 0 failing school to 5; see chart below), but there’s room to climb with strategic adjustments.
What is NOLA-PS doing to prepare? We’re taking a proactive approach by recommending the following to our schools: Schools may also qualify for state incentives like the Value Added Growth Award (which recognizes schools in the 90th percentile for growth in reading/ELA, math, science, or social studies) or a foreign language immersion bonus (which could add 1 point to SPS scores). Why does this matter to families and students? The CSAF and state system ensure schools are held to high standards, giving families clear, trustworthy information about school performance. It emphasizes growth for all students, proficiency in key subjects, and preparation for life after graduation—core elements of a high-quality education. Where can I see how my school stacks up? Stay tuned for updated SPS data and school report cards after the state releases 2024-2025 baselines in fall 2025. We’ll share district-specific breakdowns to highlight strengths and areas for improvement.
What’s next for NOLA-PS? As we transition to the 2025-2026 system, NOLA-PS is working with schools to align resources, adjust instruction, and engage the community. Our goal is to maximize SPS scores while ensuring every student can grow, achieve, and thrive. If you have questions or feedback, please fill out NOLA-PS’ We’re Listening form or visit the LDOE website. Check back for updates as we adapt to this new accountability landscape!
