State Superintendent of Education tours Welsh, Jennings schools

Published 8:17 am Wednesday, February 4, 2026

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley visited Welsh and Jennings elementary schools on Tuesday to observe classroom environments, literacy and math initiatives, and curriculum implementation firsthand.

The visit also served as an opportunity to celebrate educational successes within the district and across the state.

During his visit, Brumley met with education leaders, administrators, and teachers to discuss new initiatives, including teacher collaborations, tutoring programs and data-driven instruction. He also toured classrooms to observe teaching methods and the district’s focus on literacy and math.

“We want to know what’s working, what’s not working, and how we can be helpful from Baton Rouge to support their work,” Brumley said. “But we also want to maintain supportive pressure to ensure everyone is doing everything possible to help kids be successful.”

Brumley emphasized a commitment to “the basics,” focusing on the science of reading in elementary grades and foundational math skills, such as multiplication facts. He also highlighted the importance of supporting the teaching profession by reducing bureaucracy and excessive training to give teachers more control over their classrooms.

“Whenever I talk to educators, it’s affirming to know that the areas where we’re pressing and supporting are leading to success,” he said. “At Welsh Elementary this morning, they discussed academic growth in reading and math. We need to celebrate and applaud that progress.”

He noted that Louisiana is currently the most rapidly improving state in the country for educational outcomes, according to national data.

“We have smart kids, but we also have fantastic teachers doing great work,” he said.

Brumley highlighted that the state moved from 49th in the country in 2019 to 32nd today on the “nation’s report card,” leading the country in literacy growth and ranking in the top five for math growth.

“Teachers have a very hard job, and we want to be part of making that better for them while continuing to push for better student outcomes,” he said. “All the numbers are moving in the right direction, which is a testament to the work teachers are doing every day.”

Brumley said schools across the state are providing a strong foundation for students, especially in elementary grades.

“We need to focus on teaching children how to read using a phonics-based approach,” he said. “We need to focus on making sure they’re building fluency in math and that they understand how to add, subtract, multiply and divide.”

“We also need to make sure that when students are in high school, they have opportunities to engage with universities and work-based opportunities, like credentials, internships and apprenticeships,” he continued.

To maintain this momentum, Brumley stressed the importance of visibility, high expectations, and accountability. He noted that every school receives a letter grade to provide transparency for the public and taxpayers.