By Dale Chu
Louisiana has just secured approval for a limited federal flexibility option and formally submitted its ESEA waiver proposal. Both are focused on funding flexibility, not testing. The key part to home in on is on page 15:
[Louisiana] does not seek waivers related to the development and implementation of challenging state academic standards and aligned assessments described in Section 1111(b)(1) and (2) of the ESEA, nor to the production of annual state and school report cards required under Section 1111(h).
Alert readers will recall that Iowa made a similar pledge in its waiver request, centering on funding flexibility rather than changes to testing or accountability. Louisiana’s approach fits squarely within that emerging model—streamline dollars while leaving accountability intact.
The context here is worth noting. After years near the bottom of national rankings, Louisiana has emerged as a rare NAEP bright spot. Fourth graders in the state led the nation in reading growth for the second consecutive cycle and are among only two states to exceed 2019 reading and math scores. The state’s education chief, Cade Brumley, attributes these gains to a “back to basics” emphasis on foundational instruction and a strong focus on literacy and teacher support.
That track record on the gold-standard NAEP may strengthen Louisiana’s hand with federal reviewers. More importantly, a pattern seems to be taking shape, which is that the administration—to its credit—is holding a high bar on assessments. While states may receive modest leeway on how federal dollars are managed, efforts to weaken annual testing appear to be non-starters.
Thoughts? Send them my way; we may feature select perspectives in a future Waiver HQ post.