How one district’s data playbook helped them become #1 in the state

How does a district become #1 in the state? For West Feliciana Parish Schools in Louisiana, the answer lies in a clear, practical, and scalable approach to using data.

Hear directly from Jodi Lemoine, director of accountability for the district, in our recent webinar “Building a data playbook: Action plans and protocols that drive growth,” now available on demand. Jodi shares how her district built a data playbook that connects universal screening to the intimate work of PLCs, instructional leadership teams, and targeted supports for a system that drives student growth.

A small district with big results

West Feliciana Parish Schools serves a geographically large but population-small community about 35 miles north of Baton Rouge. All students are housed on a single campus that includes one lower elementary, one elementary, one middle, and one high school. The district’s recent achievements include not only ranking #1 in Louisiana based on the state assessment but also recognition from the Louisiana Department of Education for their high dosage–tutoring program.

Building the playbook

The district’s approach to data is rooted in practicality. They put non-negotiables in place around universal screening assessments and PLCs:

  • Universal screening is conducted three times a year, in the fall, winter, and spring
  • Schools select their own testing dates within district-assigned two-week windows
  • After each window, data teams meet for up to two weeks to analyze results and plan interventions

But the real power of the playbook lies in how data is used.

Actionable data at every step

West Feliciana’s system ensures that every team—from school leaders to classroom teachers—uses MAP® Growth™ reports with purpose and precision.

School leadership teams

These teams begin the process by reviewing their School Profile report and later, as needed, Class Profile reports. This allows leaders to start with a bigger view—for example, “What does math on my campus look like?”—and then look into individual classes, all the way down to a targeted area that may need some support.

Instructional leadership teams

This is the brainstorming team that serves as a “think tank” for a school. This team may include members of the district leadership along with teachers who can speak to the topic that’s being addressed. They often start with the Class Profile report but rely on the Achievement Status and Growth (ASG) Summary with Quadrant Chart to identify challenges the school is facing and begin brainstorming ways to address it.

Data team PLCs

What do teachers use? Data team PLCs use Class Profile reports to analyze individual and group performance. Teachers see students grouped by RIT score band, which allows them to plan instruction that’s precisely targeted, bridging the gap between assessment and instruction. This is also where MAP Growth has played a big role in West Feliciana Parish’s award-winning high-dosage tutoring program by identifying which students need the most support.

Progress monitoring

Jodi attributes a large part of the district’s success to their commitment to progress monitoring. The Class Profile report again plays a big role here; educators can see the span of student achievement, from those who have the most deficits to those who are excelling. And the Student Profile report is a crucial tool for measuring growth over time. Together, both reports help to produce targeted and prescriptive actions.

A replicable framework for growth

West Feliciana’s playbook offers a replicable framework for districts looking to strengthen their data practices. It shows how MAP Growth can be more than an assessment—it can be the foundation for a system of continuous improvement.

By embedding data into every layer of decision-making, the district has created a culture of proactive planning. Teachers aren’t waiting for state test results to identify gaps—they’re addressing them in real time. Leaders aren’t scrambling to fix problems—they’re building systems that prevent them. And, most importantly, West Feliciana Parish’s students are growing . . . all the way to #1 in the state!

To hear directly from Jodi and learn how West Feliciana Parish Schools’ data playbook success can inspire changes in your school or district, watch the full webinar.

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Content disclaimer:

Teach. Learn. Grow. includes diverse perspectives that are meant to be a resource to educators and leaders across the country and around the world. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of NWEA.