Raising the Bar: Louisiana's Strategies for Improving Student Outcomes

Louisiana has received recent attention for some of its new education policies and promising early results. In this video, RAND researchers Julia Kaufman, Shelly Culbertson, and Jill Cannon provide an in-depth description of Louisiana's approach to improving student outcomes since 2012.

The researchers examine how the state has used various policy levers — including mandates, resource alignment, incentives, and communication and planning processes — to pursue reform strategies in four areas: early childhood education, K–12 academics, K–12 teacher preparation, and graduation pathways.

Click here to learn more about RAND's work on Louisiana's education policies.

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Elevating Teacher Voices, Along with Their Salaries to Professionalize Teaching in Louisiana
Salary raises have a direct impact on teachers' day-to-day lives. But efforts like those in Louisiana to elevate teachers' voices, and not just their salaries, are more likely to make a real difference for the teaching profession by creating a clear career ladder. The state's efforts could also be cultivating a teaching force that is providing students with the curricula and instruction they need to achieve at higher levels.
Sep 18, 2019
Julia H. Kaufman @juliahkaufman
What Other States Can Learn from Louisiana's School Reform
Louisiana's education policy changes aim to improve outcomes for public school students statewide. How well are these reforms working? Analyses of the state's early efforts to reshape its education system point to several early successes, remaining challenges, and key lessons.
Jun 10, 2019
Matthew D. Baird, Jill S. Cannon, et al.
Louisiana's Education System Is Evolving: Here's What Parents Need to Know
Louisiana has taken big steps to improve its education policies and the education of the state's children, from birth to grade 12. Parents can help their children benefit from the reforms by being informed about the changes and knowing how to take advantage of new resources.
Sep 12, 2018
Julia H. Kaufman @juliahkaufman, Jill S. Cannon, et al.
Raising the Bar for Student Outcomes in Louisiana
Historically, Louisiana's education system has ranked near the bottom nationwide. However, early evidence suggests that the state's reform efforts may be helping to reverse this trend. What can other states learn from Louisiana as they examine their respective education policies and practices?
Aug 3, 2018
Julia H. Kaufman @juliahkaufman, Jill S. Cannon, et al.
Louisiana's Strategies for Improving Student Outcomes
Louisiana has received attention for some of its new education policies and promising early results. Its strategies for improving education quality and student outcomes offer lessons for schools nationwide.
Jun 28, 2018
Julia H. Kaufman @juliahkaufman, Jill S. Cannon, et al.

Researcher Spotlight

Julia H. Kaufman

Associate Research Department Director, Behavioral and Policy Sciences Department

Julia Kaufman (she/her/hers) is associate research department director for the Behavioral and Policy Sciences Department and a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. She also codirects the RAND American Educator Panels. Her research focuses on how states and school systems can support…

Shelly Culbertson

Director, Infrastructure, Immigration, & Security Operations Program, RAND Homeland Security Research Division

Shelly Culbertson is a senior policy researcher and the director of the Infrastructure, Immigration, & Security Operations Program (IISO), part of the RAND Homeland Security Research Division. IISO supports eight organizations inside the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with strategic…

Jill S. Cannon

Senior Policy Researcher

Jill Cannon is a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation and member of the Pardee RAND Graduate School faculty. Her work focuses on examining the relationship between early childhood programs and policies and child outcomes. She was previously a policy fellow at the Public Policy…

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Raising the Bar: Louisiana's Strategies for Improving Student Outcomes

Learn More

Elevating Teacher Voices, Along with Their Salaries to Professionalize Teaching in Louisiana

What Other States Can Learn from Louisiana's School Reform

Louisiana's Education System Is Evolving: Here's What Parents Need to Know

Raising the Bar for Student Outcomes in Louisiana

Louisiana's Strategies for Improving Student Outcomes

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