Providing All Louisiana Students with Opportunities to Learn

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Welcome to the Louisiana Department of Education

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) serves over 800,000 students in a growing portfolio of educational settings. As the state agency that oversees early childhood and K-12 education in Louisiana, the LDOE is committed to providing every child with the opportunities they need to graduate high school ready to succeed in a career, college, or service. The LDOE is responsible for a variety of services such as policy and regulations, funding, school oversight, research, and training.

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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.

View current openings

Policy Guidance

State Advisory Groups

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

Learn more about our education groups

Waitlist ensures funding available for families who apply before the end of September and implements process for families to receive funding as available on and after October 1

(BATON ROUGE, LA - September 22, 2022) - The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is giving eligible families the opportunity to apply for the Child Care Assistance Program before a waitlist begins October 1. The program currently serves approximately 24,500 Louisiana children. With the number of eligible families approaching the program's budgeted funding level, the waitlist is being established to ensure funding is available for eligible families who apply before the end of September. The waitlist also implements a process for eligible families who apply on or after October 1 to access funding as soon as it becomes available.

Louisiana’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides families with financial support for child care services. CCAP helps parents or legal guardians who are working, attending school, or attending job training pay for high-quality child care for children under age 13 or children with special needs up to age 18. CCAP pays for a portion of the child care costs, and families pay the difference charged by the provider.

In February, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved an increase in payment rates and extended eligibility in order to serve more working families. As a result, participation in CCAP has grown to serve an average increase of an additional 3,000 children. At the current pace, the number of eligible families anticipated to apply could exceed the amount of funds available. The waitlist has been established so that eligible families can access seats as soon as funding is available.

Applications received prior to October 1 will be reviewed and receive funding immediately upon being determined eligible. Eligibility is currently determined within 60-90 days of receiving a complete application. Eligible children who are experiencing homelessness, children from families participating in STEP or Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships, children in foster care, or eligible special needs children are exempt from the waiting list.

Eligible families who apply on or after October 1 will be placed on the waitlist. They will be notified that they have been placed on the waitlist via the LDOE website when applying online or by mail when using a paper application. When funding becomes available, the families at the top of the waitlist will be notified by phone, mail, and email. There is currently no limit on the number of families that can be added to the waitlist.

Families can apply online. A frequently asked questions document has been created with more information about the CCAP waitlist. For additional information or questions, please contact the LDOE via email at ldeccap@la.gov. Questions can also be directed to 1-877-453-2721.