Welcome to the Louisiana Department of Education
About the Louisiana Department of Education
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) provides guidance and support to all publicly funded early childhood centers and elementary and secondary schools in Louisiana. Specifically, the department provides tools and resources to schools and school systems to support classroom instruction, assessments, workforce development and college and career preparation. Additionally, the department provides families and the public with transparent reporting of center, school, and school system performance and quality through the Louisiana School Finder.
To stay connected with the LDOE and receive updates on our work and our resources, visit our newsroom and our newsletter subscriptions page.
Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)
The LDOE is the administrative arm of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). BESE was established by the 1974 Louisiana Constitution. The Board is composed of 11 members: eight elected by the citizens of Louisiana’s eight BESE districts, and three appointed by the governor of Louisiana to represent the state at-large. Together, these members adopt and enact policies governing the elementary and secondary schools of Louisiana.
Louisiana's Education Priorities
Louisiana's education priorities maintain a clear focus on what matters most for academic achievement.
- Early childhood leading to kindergarten readiness
- Literacy instruction aligned to the Science of Reading
- Math instruction from foundational to advanced skills
- Opportunities ensuring a meaningful high school experience
- An effective teacher for every student
- Expand educational choice for students and families
Request Information
If you have questions, including public records requests, questions about licensure, or other types of inquiries, please see our contact us page.
Louisiana State Superintendent
Dr. Cade Brumley
Dr. Brumley is a Louisiana native who has dedicated his career to serving children, parents, and educators.
Back to the Basics
Louisiana's Education Priorities
From being ready to learn on the first day of kindergarten to thriving in a career, college
Employment Opportunities
Careers at LDOE
Join the Louisiana Department of Education as we strive for excellence.
Policy Guidance
State Advisory Groups
The LDOE facilitates over a dozen councils, committees, task forces, and other groups.
Overall state winners to be named during virtual celebration later this year
BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Louisiana Department of Education today announced the finalists for the 2021 Teacher and Principal of the Year awards during a live virtual announcement on the Dream Teachers Facebook page. The 18 finalists are elementary, middle and high school educators from school systems across the state. Winners will be selected from this group and named at a virtual awards ceremony later this year.
"These 18 educators represent the very best in Louisiana and are all deserving of our state's top honor for teachers," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. "We're in uncharted waters in education, but one thing that remains constant is the life-changing impact a high-quality teacher has on a child."
"Congratulations to all of the finalists who are deserving of this incredible honor," said First Lady Donna Edwards. "Your excellence and dedication to your students and profession are commendable. As we've experienced the challenges of this year, it has become even more evident that having good educators is essential to the future of our students and our state."
The Department recognizes that great teachers and school leaders are critical to student success. Annually, the Department, in partnership with Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Principals, recognizes and celebrates some of the state's most exceptional educators through the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs. These programs provide an opportunity to acknowledge those teachers and leaders who are making exceptional gains with students. Their commitment to student success exemplifies Louisiana's education profession.
This year, school systems from all across the state submitted nominations to the state-level Teacher and Principal of the Year process. From this impressive group, the Department is proud to announce the 2021 Teacher and Principal of the Year Finalists.
All Teacher and Principal of the Year finalists and semi-finalists will be celebrated and honored at the 14th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala, which will be held virtually this year. To learn more about the current and previous Teacher and Principal of the Year honorees, visit the library. For questions about the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs, email excellenteducators@la.gov.
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