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 Councils
The LDOE facilitates over a dozen councils, committees, task forces, and other groups.
Parents, schools, service providers, and the public can learn more at lagator.la.gov
BATON ROUGE, LA) - The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) has unveiled new resources to support the public in understanding and accessing the state’s first education scholarship account (ESA) program. The Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program is set to open student applications by March 1 for the 2025-2026 school year. To assist families, schools, and service providers, the program now features a dedicated webpage, call center, and email help desk.
The public can access these new LA GATOR communications supports at:
- Webpage: lagator.la.gov
- Call Center: 225-422-1538
- Email Help Desk: help.la@withodyssey.com
Explore the LA GATOR Program Online
Housed on the LDOE’s newly redesigned website, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program page serves as a central hub for information about Louisiana’s latest school choice initiative. The site includes:
- Eligibility requirements and prioritization guidelines
- Potential scholarship award amounts
- Specific sections for families, schools, and service providers
- An email sign-up feature for updates
LDOE Partners with Odyssey for Enhanced Support
The LDOE has partnered with Odyssey to manage the program’s application process and marketplace. Odyssey will provide families, schools, and service providers with assistance on applications, account management, and navigating the marketplace once it launches on March 1. Odyssey is operating the program’s call center and email help desk, and it has added a virtual chat option on its dedicated LA GATOR support page to further assist users.
Transition from the Louisiana Scholarship Program
Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program will replace the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP). LSP students will receive priority access to LA GATOR but must submit an application when the portal opens on March 1. To ensure a smooth transition, the LDOE will provide additional resources for LSP families, including a dedicated webinar and application guidance materials.
Families currently participating in LSP who have not been receiving updates about LA GATOR from their school and the LDOE are encouraged to contact the call center or email help desk.
About the LA GATOR Scholarship Program
The LA GATOR Scholarship Program is Louisiana’s first ESA, providing scholarship accounts to eligible students. Parents can use these funds for approved educational services, such as:
- Nonpublic school tuition and fees
- Tutoring and educational therapies
- Textbooks and curricula
- Dual enrollment courses
- Uniforms
Signed into law by Governor Landry, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program represents a significant step in expanding educational freedom in Louisiana. It complements the state’s diverse school choice offerings, which include traditional public schools, public charter schools, nonpublic schools, and home study programs.