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
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Policy Guidance
State Advisory Groups
The LDOE facilitates over a dozen councils, committees, task forces, and other groups.
New state law gives parents greater role in Course Choice program
(BATON ROUGE, LA) - Louisiana students will have access to more quality courses starting next school year. A new state law that passed in 2024 expanded options available to students and parents as part of the state’s Course Choice program. The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) announced those Course Choice policy revisions today during the Superintendents’ Advisory Council. Set to take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, the updates give families access to a wider range of courses that may not be available at their child’s school and align funding and prioritization to Louisiana’s emphasis on career and college readiness.
“These improvements expand choice for families while also ensuring more students receive a meaningful high school experience,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “I commend the legislature on enhancing this program in a way that strengthens parental involvement and aligns funding to coursework that better prepares students for the workforce or college.”
What is Course Choice?
Launched in June 2012, Course Choice allows students to enroll in courses beyond those available at their school, including college and university classes, career and technical education programs, and internships. Schools receive a $70 per-student allocation for grades 7-12 to cover tuition and fees for courses offered by providers approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). The program expands course availability, supports early college credit and career training, and helps students stay on track for graduation.
What is changing?
Based on Act 91 of the 2024 Legislative Session, the changes reinforce the importance of parental choice and expand funding priorities. Key changes include:
Expanded Funding Priorities: Schools must prioritize funding for:
- TOPS-aligned courses and college credit opportunities
- Fast Forward pathways and high-quality career and technical education
- Academic recovery options for struggling students
- Test preparation for nationally recognized assessments
- Other school system-defined priorities approved by LDOE
Parental Choice Enhancements:
- Parents have the right to select Course Choice courses that align with their child’s academic and career goals, provided prerequisites are met and funding is available.
- Schools must guide students and parents in selecting courses that align with graduation pathways and career plans.
- Schools must provide clear information about Course Choice opportunities and funding priorities.
School System Responsibilities:
- Consult with parents and obtain written permission before enrolling a student in a course.
- Ensure selected courses are academically appropriate based on the student’s graduation pathway.
- Inform parents of available Course Choice options and their right to select a provider.