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.
Comprehensive suite of resources developed in collaboration with state and national education leaders
BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Louisiana Department of Education is supporting students with disabilities through a suite of comprehensive resources developed alongside state and national education leaders. These recently updated resources are serving systems, educators and families during modified operations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"School may look different this year, but our commitment to families and students remains steadfast," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. "These resources will guide educators and families as they work to serve our students who need their support the most."
The Department developed these resources alongside teachers, special education leaders, family support centers, the special education advisory panel and the National Center for Educational Outcomes (NCEO). This collaboration ensures these resources reflect the latest research and meets the needs of Louisiana's students with disabilities.
"The Council appreciates the responsiveness of the Louisiana Department of Education in producing guidance materials for schools related to serving students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council Chair Randall Brown. "The leadership demonstrated in offering this guidance reflects a commitment to ensure all students receive the education and related services they need."
The newest set of resources includes guidance for families, educators and direct service providers. The Strong Start 2020 Family Toolbox for Students with Disabilities offers families concrete ways to support their child's learning. The Strong Start 2020 Reopening Guidance for Special Education Leaders helps systems and educators prepare for a successful reopening that meets the needs of students with disabilities. The Strong Start 2020 Reopening Guidance for Direct Service Providers includes resources to help direct service providers ensure students continue to receive special education and related services during traditional or modified operations.
These newest additions build on a comprehensive suite of resources to assist educators as they serve students with disabilities and their families during this time.
- Strong Start Compensatory Services Guidance helps schools deliver services to students with disabilities who lost learning during school closures. Parents can use this resource to understand options available to schools in delivering these services.
- Accessibility and accommodations resources guide schools in providing high-quality instruction in hybrid and distance learning settings.
- Students with significant disabilities guidance aids schools in serving children with complex needs during modified operations.
- Privacy guidance offers insight to educators and families on ensuring student privacy during virtual small group instruction for students with disabilities.
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) highlighted the LDOE resources in its Restart and Recovery guidance. CCSSO featured Louisiana's resources for Strong Start compensatory services, direct services, virtual small group privacy guidance, students with significant cognitive disabilities, accessibility and instructional materials vendor guide.
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