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.
Applications are now open for service providers seeking to participate in Louisiana's first education scholarship account (ESA). Set to open for the 2025-2026 school year, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program empowers parents to choose the education that best fits their child’s unique needs. This new program awards scholarship accounts to eligible students that parents can use for a menu of approved education services like nonpublic school tuition and fees, tutoring, and other approved resources.
Applications can be completed online and will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Who is a service provider?
Along with nonpublic school tuition and fees, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program allows participating families to use their funds for a variety of qualifying education expenses offered by approved service providers. Participating service providers can include a business, individual, nonprofit organization, city or parish public school, public charter school, or other entity that offers educational materials, courses, or educational services that are qualifying ESA expenses.
Public school participation
Public school services, including educational classes, are an allowable expense for families participating in the LA GATOR Scholarship Program. Public School Governing Authorities that would like to have one or more of their schools provide offerings for LA GATOR must submit an application that includes a letter from their superintendent confirming the school’s ability to participate as a service provider, a copy of each school’s disciplinary policies, a description of educational qualifications, and attestations that are required by program policy.
Public School Governing Authorities will need to have a Stripe account to accept payments from families through the Odyssey platform.
Application and program support
The LDOE has partnered with Odyssey to manage the program’s application process and marketplace. Odyssey is operating the program’s call center and email help desk.
- Call Center: 225-422-1538
- Email Help Desk: help.la@withodyssey.com
Odyssey has also made a suite of information and resources available to service providers, including a video tutorial that walks through the application process.
Student applications open March 1
LA GATOR student applications for the 2025-2026 school year will be open March 1 to April 15 at lagator.la.gov. Families can learn more about the program by visiting lagator.la.gov, calling 225-422-1538, or emailing help.la@withodyssey.com.
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.
###