The passage of the Children First Act in 1988 ushered in a new era of data collection, analysis, and reporting about the overall quality and condition of education in Louisiana. Implemented in 1990, this major piece of legislation resulted in the publication of the Progress Profiles (School Report Cards, District Composite Report, and the Louisiana State Education Progress Report) with three main objectives: (1) to provide information about schools to parents and the general public, (2) to provide a basis for educational planning, and (3) to increase educational accountability at all levels.