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.
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) has developed the Freedom Framework Diploma Endorsement, a new recognition for high school students who demonstrate excellence in civics education.
Approved today by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), the endorsement will be awarded to students who score Mastery or above on the LEAP 2025 civics assessment. Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, eligible students will receive a special diploma seal and a red, white, and blue honor cord to wear during graduation.
“Graduating with a strong understanding of government and our nation’s history sets students up for academic success and informed civic engagement,” said Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education. “This new diploma endorsement highlights Louisiana’s commitment to strengthening civics education.”
Louisiana Diploma Endorsements
A diploma endorsement is a special recognition students can earn that highlights achievement in a particular area. These endorsements give students the opportunity to showcase their hard work, interests, and future readiness on their high school diploma.
Freedom Framework
The new civics endorsement aligns with Louisiana’s Freedom Framework, the state’s K-12 student standards for social studies. Spearheaded by State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley and adopted in 2022, the standards tell the story of American exceptionalism as well as the nation’s continuous journey towards becoming a more perfect union.
Adopted in 2022, the 2023-2024 school year marked the first year of implementation in Louisiana classrooms. The new standards are more rigorous and also introduce historical content in a more precise, coherent, and chronological manner while ensuring students develop essential skills.
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