The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education was established as a constitutional body during the 1973 Constitutional Convention.

BESE became the administrative policy-making body for elementary-secondary schools, and in accordance with the Constitution, eight elected members from the eight BESE districts serve on the Board along with three members-at-large appointed by the Governor. The Board sets key education initiatives and strives to provide leadership in setting an education agenda for the continuous improvement of public education as measured by student and school achievement.