With two-thirds students back in school every day in Louisiana, a state not usually recognized as a leader in education is accomplishing something other states haven't, and leaders say that could give kids in the Bayou State an advantage going into next school year. Gov. John Bel Edwards closed schools across the state on March 13, 2020, and most public school students didn't have classes again until September. Some districts offered optional "learning opportunities" for students to complete at home, but with unequal access to devices and broadband, nothing was required. As Louisiana school systems reopened last fall, some invited students back onto campus part-time, while others kicked off the year virtually.