The ed-reform conversation has been abuzz with talk about the Southern Surge, a thrilling run at the top of the educational achievement charts by states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. As my colleague Catrin Wigfall wrote, “Using demographically-weighted results, Louisiana fourth graders now rank second highest in reading scores nationwide, right behind Mississippi.” The Southern Surge states have achieved results through a holistic package of reform pieces, including science of literacy reform in early grades, third grade retention policies, legal teacher protections, and an aggressive focus on academic achievement.
Over the past five years, Louisiana has enacted another small reform experiment: state-funded vouchers for afterschool tutoring sessions. Originally passed in 2021 and expanded in 2024, the state now yearly spends $5 million in state funds and $5 million in federal grants on the Steve Carter Tutoring Program. (Louisiana spent $4.7 billion in 2025 on their education system. For context, Minnesota spent $25.73 billion.) The program, part of the larger Louisiana Tutoring Initiative, provides $1500 vouchers to qualifying K-12 students for afterschool tutoring.
The Louisiana Tutoring Initiative also provides “high-dosage” tutoring to students below grade level proficiency in grades K-5 during the school day. Currently, the program utilizes $30 million in state funds to serve around 178,000 students. Due to a widespread perception of the program’s success, lawmakers are pushing to expand the program to higher grades in the future.
The Pelican State has seen positive effects from both programs, including the afterschool Steve Carter Tutoring Program. This success is likely due in part to the gold standard construction of the tutoring programs themselves.
Recipients of the Steve Carter tutoring vouchers must be approved through the state’s Department of Education. Louisiana requires that all tutoring program curricula must be fully aligned with the state’s standards, with the science of literacy, with numeracy foundational skills, and with locally adopted curricula. This ensures that students are gaining direct support for the concepts and skills that are being learned in their own local classroom.
Additionally, Louisiana requires that tutoring class sizes are small. Groups cannot exceed more than 4 students at a time. Tutoring programs can charge up to $60 for a one-on-one session and up to $40 for a group session.
The tutors themselves are required to receive state-approved numeracy and literacy training. Tutors are required to either be current teachers, paraprofessionals, college students, or hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Providers are required to regularly supervise and assess tutors. All providers must serve all learners, including students with disabilities and English learners.
The state’s largest tutoring provider, Canopy, hires teachers directly. Teachers are paid $30-$60 per hour to tutor after school at the same school where they work during the day.
According to The 74, nearly 2,000 Louisiana students received tutoring last year through Canopy across 298 schools. Schedules are flexible and depend on each family’s needs. The afterschool timing means that parents don’t have to drive their students to and from a tutoring session, expanding accessibility.
To qualify, students have to score below grade level proficiency in reading and mathematics. Last year, demand for the program was so high that acceptance eligibility was limited to only the lowest performing students. School districts notify families when their students are eligible for the program.
The results have been strong, especially for a state that has struggled with academics for a long time.
On average, a Canopy student participates in tutoring for less than six months and achieves 11 months of academic growth. East Baton Rouge Parish students receiving afterschool tutoring from Studyville, another tutoring provider, had similar gains. Almost four in ten struggling kindergarteners reached proficiency by the end of the year, and 40 percent of upper elementary students moved up at least one achievement level. The State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley has pointed to the state’s high-dosage tutoring program as a major reason why the state has seen so much educational progress across the board.
High-impact tutoring programs have grown in popularity nationwide post-COVID as an attempt to assuage learning loss. They offer flexibility to school days that can occasionally feel stuffed, and ensure personalized connection to students who may be struggling. Additionally, they can create teacher pipelines to classrooms by bringing in college students as tutors. Experts note that gold standard tutoring programs (like Louisiana’s) can have impressive academic results because they help to create a stronger community system.
States that have opted into the new federal tax credit scholarship will allow students to use the money donated to scholarship-granting organizations to attend more afterschool tutoring. Minnesota has not yet opted into the program.
As a former Louisiana teacher and a family member to another former Louisiana teacher, I’m overjoyed to see the success of this program. Geaux Tigers!
