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.
Over 200 stakeholders from across Louisiana share feedback with LDOE
BATON ROUGE, La. -- The levels of trust among stakeholders is high, school systems have made extensive efforts to support student well-being and broadband access and student engagement remain concerns. That is some of the feedback the Louisiana Department of Education received from over 200 stakeholders from across the state during focus groups conducted recently.
“Improving outcomes for all Louisiana children is important work that’s too important to do alone,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “These focus groups are one of the ways we’re engaging stakeholders to understand what’s working, what’s not and where our support and investment is most needed.”
LDOE partnered with Westat to conduct focus groups with stakeholders across the state in November and December 2020. The information was synthesized into a report with the Department’s previously scheduled Strong Start Winter Survey.
Westat collected data to understand the experiences of Louisiana students and educators. Combined with the Department’s additional outreach efforts, the data will help inform decisions about school system supports, lessons learned and needed improvements.
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School systems and educators have been flexible and adapted to address learning loss through use of individual instruction/support, additional intervention time and increased small group instruction.
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School systems have quickly provided technology to students and families. Teachers have adopted and learned a variety of tech-based teaching supports.
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Communication from LDOE, school systems and schools have been effective. Transparency and the levels of trust among stakeholders is high.
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School systems and educators have made extensive efforts to support student mental health and well-being both personally and through SEL curricula and community services.
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Transition between learning modes causes disruption of learning, stress and mental-health concerns.
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In general, student engagement is a concern. Not all students learn successfully in virtual environments, particularly students with disabilities, EL students, early childhood learners and those who are often truant or absent.
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Ongoing concerns with accountability plans given likely learning loss that is beyond the control of school systems and families.
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Access to technology and broadband required for successful virtual learning is not consistent for all students.
There were 216 stakeholders from across the state who participated in the focus groups. This included students, parents, teachers, school leaders and school system leaders.