The LDOE is addressing the state’s literacy crisis by launching the Steve Carter Literacy Program, providing families with $1,000 vouchers for tutoring. Public school students in grades k-5 will have the opportunity to advance their reading skills with high quality tutors approved through the LDOE if eligible.
Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chiasson says the program’s investment will bridge the states literacy gap.
“The Louisiana Department of Education has invested $40 million dollars to fund the program as part of the states Comprehensive strategy to combat Louisiana’s literacy crisis,” said Chiasson.
Student registration is not open yet, but school systems are identifying eligible students and will notify families via email. Both grade levels qualify differently. K-3 students are eligible if they scored below proficient on the screener from the beginning of the year. K-5 students are eligible if they scored below mastery in English Learning Arts on the spring 2022 LEAP assessment.
New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says Louisiana is not where it should be, but there are encouraging signs of improvement.
“A few weeks ago when the Nape scores across the nation were released Louisiana showed the most growth in the nation amongst 4th graders with respect to read. So we are on the right track but we have to use every tool out the tool box,” said Hughes.
The program is the result of Act 415 of the 2021 Legislative session, named after the late Baton Rouge Representative. Once registration opens families can access the online portal at www.Louisianatutoringinitiative.com to register and browse through available tutors.
State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says families will be able to apply the $1,000 to different vendors in the state for different sessions.
“For individualized tutoring it would cover about 25 sessions over the course of the year. If they want small group tutoring with a group up to 3 students they would be able to receive 35 sessions over the course of the year,” said Brumley.
Multi-lingo tutors will be available to accommodate students who do not speak English as a primary language. For additional information visit LouisianaLitracy@la.gov.
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