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
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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.
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.
Council of Chief State School Officers to Announce Overall Winner in Spring 2020
BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Louisiana Department of Education today announced Chris Dier, the state's current Teacher of the Year, is one of four finalists for the 2020 National Teacher of the Year award. Dier, who teaches history at Chalmette High School in St. Bernard Parish, is the first Louisiana educator since 1989 to advance to this level in the prestigious national competition.
"Chris has spent his teaching career focused on equity, creatively and effectively bringing aspects of his students' identity and culture to the forefront of their education," said State Superintendent John White. "Louisiana is honored to have such a dynamic and deserving educator represent it on the national stage."
St. Bernard Parish School District Superintendent Doris Voitier said it has been inspiring to watch Dier's journey in public education. "From an outstanding student to being recognized as one of the best educators in the nation, Chris really exemplifies all that is good in our school system," she said. "His ability to connect with students from various backgrounds and abilities is a true testament to his compassion and professionalism."
Dier became a teacher to follow the legacy of his mother, a lifelong teacher. In high school, Hurricane Katrina uprooted him to Texas, where he finished high school and attended East Texas Baptist University.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, Dier returned to his home parish to teach. Dier, a 10-year teaching veteran, teaches world history and AP human geography at Chalmette High School in Chalmette. Prior to being named the Louisiana State Teacher of the Year in July 2020, Dier was twice voted St. Bernard Parish District-Wide Teacher of the Year.
Dier's passion is deeply rooted in providing an equitable education to all students and supporting fellow teachers to be culturally responsive. His tenure as 2020 Louisiana Teacher of the Year has focused on encouraging his colleagues to collaborate with students to eliminate prejudice and bias within the classroom.
He has been featured in numerous publications and outlets for his work in the classroom and the community, most notably The Washington Post, The New York Times, and the Canadian Broadcast Corporation.
Dier obtained Master of Arts degrees in teaching and educational administration from the University of New Orleans. He was also a Hollyhock Fellow at Stanford University, a program that brings educators together to create more inclusive classrooms. While at Stanford, he developed an equity project with the purpose of legitimizing student language. He now participates in a professional development program at Harvard Business School.
Dier authored "The 1868 St. Bernard Parish Massacre: Blood in the Cane Fields," published by the History Press.
The National Teacher of the Year Program is run by the Council of Chief State School Officers, a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, Bureau of Indian Education, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. The program identifies exceptional teachers nationwide, celebrates their effective work in and outside of the classroom, amplifies their voices, and empowers them to take part in policy discussions at the state and national levels.
The other three finalists represent Ohio, Montana, and Kansas. One of the finalists will be named the 2020 National Teacher of the Year this spring by the the 2020 National Teacher of the Year Selection Committee. The chosen educator will spend the next year traveling the country as an ambassador for education and an advocate for all teachers and students.
Learn more about the National Teacher of the Year Program.
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