Education Week ranks Louisiana 27th
by WILL SENTELL - Advocate (excerpt)

Louisiana ranks 27th in the nation for its public education policies and performance, Education Week magazine said Thursday. As often happens, the state’s standards and assessments got the best reviews and is the third best in the nation, the magazine said in its annual report that rates state school systems.

However, student achievement was rated as 47th and a child’s chances for success is 48th. In addition, Louisiana students finished last in the nation in a special review of math performance.

The survey, which is called “Quality Counts,” is touted as the most comprehensive snapshot of public education in the country. Louisiana got an overall grade of “C” with a score of 75.8 out of 100 in a review of six indicators. The national average was also a “C” and included a score of 75.9. Louisiana’s ranking of 27th is up from 35th last year, state education officials said.