Funding High-Impact Tutoring in Louisiana

Explore Louisiana’s funding opportunities for high-dosage tutoring to accelerate literacy growth. Identify eligible students and partner with a proven provider to deliver impactful, evidence-based instruction.

In 2024, the national average NAEP reading score for 4th-grade students was 216—down 2 points from 2022, and a full 5 points lower than scores in 2019.

In Louisiana, the average NAEP score in 2024 was 216—better than the national average, though that score is not statistically significantly better. However, it must be noted that Louisiana is trending upward, with scores better than in 2022 (212), and the state has more than double the percentage of students scoring at or above proficient in 1998 (17 to 32%).

Act 771, better known as Accelerate (2024), mandates school-day embedded tutoring (virtual or in-person) for K-5 students, scoring below on literacy/numeracy screeners and Grades 4-5 students scoring Unsatisfactory, Approaching Basic, or Basic on LEAP.

Program Requirements:

Schools choose vendors from the state-approved vendor list and implement the program
3+ sessions/week, ~30 minutes each, for at least 10 weeks.
Small groups: Max 1:4 tutor-to-student ratio.

Keep reading for more information on Act 771.

Provides $1,500 vouchers to families to purchase high-quality literacy and math tutoring for K-12.

*Note that these funds are for individual families. Funds increased from $1,000 at the initial program launch.

Families can apply for these vouchers on the LDOE website.

Provides devices, connectivity, and tutoring services to students in pre-K through grade 3 through microgrants.

In September of 2024, the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) awarded the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) $70 million to help more Louisiana students become strong readers. The LDOE is using these funds to support literacy efforts for students, teachers, and schools most in need.

Act 771 allocates $30 million in state funding for high-dosage tutoring, distributing funds at a per-eligible-pupil rate of $121.87 (SY 2024-25) for math and reading. Districts can use this investment for staffing or approved external providers.

Key Funding Components

School System Allocations: Allocations are determined based on the number of eligible students per district.
Allowable Expenses:
- Salary and benefits for full-time or part-time LEA staff.
- External tutoring providers listed on the LDOE-approved vendor guide, including OnYourMark Education.
Supplemental Funding: School systems may use additional local or federal funds to support tutoring efforts, which must be reflected in the school system plan and subsequent reporting.

Chronically failing

High teacher turnover

High percentage of new teachers

A growing number of English learners (ELs)

High schools with low graduation rates

A high number of third graders at risk of retention

The LDOE supports school systems with resource planning using the Super App. Super App is a comprehensive application that allows school systems to outline their needs, access formula funds, and apply for competitive grants and funds on one timeline. When approved, school systems can access federal formula and competitive dollars and meet the federal requirement for each school system's ESSA plan.

This application does include funding for the core components of school improvement at Comprehensive Intervention Required (CIR) and Urgent Intervention Required - Academics (UIR-A).

LDOE Approved

UFLI Foundations-Aligned

Research-Backed

1:2 Live Virtual High-Dosage Tutoring

Foundational literacy instruction that fits seamlessly into the school day:

20 minutes/day, 4x/week: Short bursts of high-impact tutoring during school hours
Science of Reading-aligned: Tutors trained in UFLI Foundations and DIBELS® methodologies
Precision pairing: Two students per tutor for peer engagement + individualized support
Real-time progress monitoring: Adjusts instruction biweekly based on DIBELS® and UFLI data

University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) Curriculum

Backed by the Science of Reading, UFLI’s evidence-based approach targets foundational gaps with:

Systematic, explicit instruction: Scripted lessons for phonics, decoding, and fluency
DIBELS® benchmarking: Initial diagnostics pinpoint skill gaps
Biweekly UFLI progress monitoring: Adjusts lessons every 10 sessions
1:2 tutor-student ratio: Ensures personalized pacing + peer engagement

Proven Growth in Louisiana Classrooms

Of 200 Louisiana students receiving tutoring based on UFLI interventions and curriculum…

92.2% of 2nd-grade students achieved average, above, or well above average growth*
94.6% of 1st-grade students achieved average, above, or well above average growth*
50.9% of all tutored students climbed national percentile ranks by end-of-year (EOY)

*"Above average growth" = exceeding typical student progress for their grade level.

"OnYourMark is very strategic about activities to build relationships. And, it was so quick too! I was just amazed at how quickly the kids really connected to the tutors. You might think that it is harder to connect virtually, but for OnYourMark, it's not. They're just so mindful of the engagement and the relationships with students."

Lincoln

Dana Talley

Former Chief Academic Officer for Lincoln Parish

“We did a randomized controlled trial with OnYourMark and saw significant growth. For [other literacy programs], we did not get the best measurements for what we wanted to get out of it. And so OnYourMark is probably the single unqualified success of all of our tutoring programs.”

uplift

Nick Erber

Former Director of Acceleration for Uplift Education

"We had so many kids moving up different levels because now they’re able to sound out the words, they’re able to read the words… Again and that's why we’re using OnYourMark with our K-2 students: because of the quick turnarounds and the quick wins that you see.”

freedom

Dr. Hope Walker

Former Regional Director of Academic Acceleration for Freedom Prep