The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) released performance data detailing how well schools and childcare centers across the state prepared students, birth through grade 12, for the next level of learning on Wednesday.

The scores mark an important milestone in the implementation of the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan. This plan requires states to identify and improve struggling public schools.

According to LDOE, of the 219 schools identified by ESSA as in need of improvement, 36 percent increased by three or more school performance score (SPS) points, 40 percent remained generally steady, and 24 percent declined by three or more SPS points. By comparison, 29 percent of all other schools not identified by ESSA increased by 3 or more SPS points. All performance profiles exclude alternative schools.

“Today’s release provides early indicators that the school systems taking seriously their responsibility to provide a quality education for all children can make significant improvements, even in persistently struggling schools” said LDOE in the release.

43 struggling schools increased a full letter grade.

In a press release, LDOE explained that although these profiles show improvement, they also signal the need for greater improvement in struggling schools under the ESSA plan.

“The results emphasize the need to further expand access to these high-quality programs, particularly for children birth to age three. While 86 percent of economically disadvantaged 4 year olds have access to quality early learning, only 1 percent of our infants, 6 percent of our toddlers, and 26 percent of our 3 year olds do,” the release stated.