Principal Jenenne Coulon was observing a teacher’s lesson last month when text messages came pouring in. School grades had been released.

For Louisiana educators, the annual school ratings can inspire delight or dread — a year's worth of grueling work condensed to a single A-F grade, which the public often sees as shorthand for whether a given school is “good” or “bad.” This year was especially nerve-wracking as the state issued, in addition to schools’ official grades, simulated scores based on a tougher rating system that takes effect next year.

Coulon ran back to her office at Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary School and pulled up the grades.

The Marrero school, where about 90% of students are economically disadvantaged, had seen its rating fall to a D last year after taking in abo

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