RUSTON, La. — Lincoln Parish School District students made impressive gains in reading this school year, according to newly released literacy screening results from the Louisiana Department of Education. Students in kindergarten through third grade increased reading proficiency by 21.2 percentage points, growing from 50.4 percent proficiency at the beginning of the year to 71.6 percent by year’s end.
The district’s growth exceeded the state’s average increase of 16.5 percentage points during the same period. Kindergarten students showed the largest gains, improving nearly 50 percentage points from 24.7 percent proficiency at the beginning of the year to 74.2 percent at the end of the year.
“These results reflect the hard work taking place in classrooms across Lincoln Parish,” said Superintendent Ricky Durrett. “We’re proud of our students for the growth they’ve shown and grateful to the teachers and staff who helped make it possible.”
District leaders credit the success to three key factors: the dedication of classroom teachers, a strong literacy partnership with Louisiana Tech University, and the implementation of UFLI Foundations, an evidence-based literacy program used in kindergarten through second-grade classrooms.
Lincoln Parish posted gains at every grade level measured by the DIBELS assessment. First grade increased by 15.6 percentage points, second grade increased by 9.6 points, and third grade increased by 5.7 points.
The district’s strong performance also builds on gains made last year. Lincoln Parish finished the 2024-2025 school year with 68 percent of K–3 students reading at or above proficiency. That number increased to 71.6 percent in 2025-2026, representing an additional nearly four percentage point improvement year over year.
With more than 71 percent of K–3 students now reading at or above proficiency, district leaders look forward to sustaining this momentum. Next school year, the district will expand UFLI Foundations to both Pre-K and third grade, ensuring our youngest and oldest early readers build the foundational skills necessary for lifelong academic success.
