Providing All Louisiana Students with Opportunities to Learn

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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

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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.

Meet Dr. Brumley

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

Learn about our priorities

Employment Opportunities

Careers at LDOE

Join the Louisiana Department of Education as we strive for excellence.

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Policy Guidance

State Advisory Groups

The LDOE facilitates over a dozen councils, committees, task forces, and other groups.

Learn more about our education groups
Louisiana Department of Education’s Stronger Connections Grant helps 39 school systems keep students and teachers safe by reinforcing single-points of entry

(BATON ROUGE, LA) - The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is investing over $21 million to harden the perimeters of schools across the state. Today, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved the LDOE’s Stronger Connections Grant program allocations to 39 traditional public and public charter systems. The funds will be used to keep students and teachers safe by reinforcing single-points of entry.

Click here to view all 39 school systems and the amount awarded.

“School safety is multifaceted and a way of life” explained State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “We are encouraged by the proposals submitted and pleased to bolster security measures at local campuses.”

In total, BESE approved $20,215,845 for 39 Louisiana school systems. Each system will receive $518,355. Louisiana’s funding source is the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, which provides $1 billion in funding for states.

Access control, such as a single-point of entry or locked entry points, is a school safety best practice broadly supported among experts. Projects may include surveillance cameras, metal detectors, or other physical security equipment or minor remodeling to enhance security at a single point of entry. The LDOE is also encouraging school systems to solicit feedback from educators, parents, and the community on school safety.

“The Stronger Connections Grant program provides direct assistance to school systems to make K-12 campuses more secure,” said Dr. Holly Boffy, BESE President. “Now more than ever, systems must meet the challenge of reinforcing the security of their facilities, and the state’s allocation of federal dollars to strengthen school perimeters is a key piece of the solution to ensure a safe and secure environment for our students and school employees.”

This is the latest action taken by the LDOE to enhance school safety. The announcement comes on the eve of the LDOE’s second annual Louisiana School Safety Summit, which takes place June 15 at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge. In August 2022, the LDOE hosted the inaugural Louisiana School Safety Summit. The event brought together around 800 educators and first responders to collaborate on keeping students safe.

In October 2022, the LDOE announced a partnership with Crimestoppers GNO to make it easier for students, educators, and families to prevent acts of violence at school through the use of an anonymous reporting app. In March, Crimestoppers GNO presented Dr. Brumley with the Award of Excellence in Student Safety & Prevention. The State Superintendent received the honor during the 38th Annual Crimestoppers Awards Luncheon in New Orleans. 

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