New K-12 English language arts standards build on state’s reading progress by reinforcing fundamental skills essential to help students read, write, and communicate
BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana students will soon benefit from new English language arts (ELA) standards that further reinforce the fundamentals of reading and writing.
The revised K-12 ELA student standards were recommended by Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley and approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). Developed by Louisiana educators through a public review process facilitated by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), the updated standards place a stronger emphasis on the science of reading, reinforce grammar, include cursive writing, and highlight content-rich text.
“These standards reflect a return to timeless academic practices,” said Dr. Brumley. “They also prioritize feedback we’ve heard from parents and teachers who want more classroom time devoted to core skills.”
About the Revised Standards
The updated standards strengthen what students are expected to learn at each grade level, with a continued focus on clear expectations and proven classroom practices.
- Science of Reading: The standards place a stronger emphasis on phonics and foundational skills aligned with the science of reading, helping students decode words and become confident, independent readers.
- Grammar: The standards reinforce progression in grammar, usage, and writing so students can communicate clearly in academic, professional, and everyday settings.
- Cursive Writing: Students will continue to develop handwriting skills, including cursive, as part of a complete approach to literacy.
The revised standards will take effect in the 2027–2028 school year. The LDOE will support school systems with training, guidance, and instructional resources.
About the Review Process
The ELA standards review was conducted as part of Louisiana’s regular review cycle. BESE policy requires K-12 content standards to be reviewed at least once every seven years. The review process began in 2024 and included:
- Open application process for the review committee
- Public meetings
- Public comment period on draft standards
A committee of Louisiana educators and stakeholders developed the revised standards. The group included teachers, school system leaders, higher education representatives, parents, and content experts. Their work helped ensure the standards reflect both classroom experience and the needs of students across the state.
Louisiana’s previous ELA standards were last updated during the 2015–2016 revision cycle.
Standards vs. Curriculum
Student standards are different from curriculum in that standards define what students are expected to learn in a particular subject and grade, and a curriculum defines how teachers will teach to ensure students learn the standards.
In Louisiana, the LDOE works with stakeholders to set and review high-quality student standards. School systems make their own decisions to choose a curriculum. To support local school systems in selecting and implementing high-quality instructional materials, the LDOE provides reviews of instructional materials per statute, the Instructional Materials Professional Learning Partner Guide, and instructional support resources.
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