DeSoto Parish Schools celebrate major gains in early literacy

According to district leaders, the percentage of kindergarten through third-grade students reading on grade level rose from 70% during the 2024-2025 school year to 80% in 2025-2026 based on results from the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, or DIBELS, assessment.

“We are dabbling in the DIBELS,” said Willa Smith, student learning supervisor. “It is awesome to see the fruits of our labor come to fruition.”

District officials say the gains reflect a continued focus on literacy instruction in classrooms across the parish. Schools showing progress include Mansfield Elementary School, North DeSoto Lower Elementary, North DeSoto Upper Elementary, Stanley High School and Logansport High School.

Superintendent Clay Corley said the improvement represents more than just numbers on a report.

“It’s exciting when you think about the lives being changed and the difference that our folks are making,” Corley said. “And there’s no better way to do that than teaching a child to read.”

Corley also credited teachers and staff members for the districtwide improvement.

“You don’t get a 10-point jump by accident,” he said. “That growth is directly attributed to our teachers in our classrooms every day.”

State leaders have also placed increased emphasis on literacy in recent years. Louisiana law now requires literacy screenings for all kindergarten through third-grade students, and some third graders who score at the lowest achievement level may not advance to fourth grade.

District leaders say family involvement remains critical to maintaining progress, encouraging parents to read regularly with children and build literacy activities into daily routines at home.

While officials are proud of the district’s latest milestone, Corley says the work is far from over.

“We are proud of the 80%,” Corley said, “but we are not going to stop until we get that 100%.”

To see all of the scores click here.