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.
Federal flexibility allows Louisiana to direct funding toward high-quality tutoring vouchers
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is matching the state’s $5 million investment in the Steve Carter Tutoring Program for the 2025–2026 school year. This brings the total investment in the program this year to $10 million.
Thanks to federal funding flexibilities recently emphasized by the U.S. Department of Education, the LDOE will contribute $5 million in federal funds to support students who need academic help outside of the school day. The Louisiana Legislature allocated $5 million for the program during the 2025 Regular Session.
Now in its third year, the Steve Carter Tutoring Program has experienced increased demand and operated with a waitlist. This year’s $5 million state appropriation, combined with the LDOE’s dedicated $5 million allocation, will ensure students currently enrolled in the program are supported while expanding access for many families on the waitlist. The LDOE’s additional investment will allow more students to receive services and help reduce the number of families waiting for support.
“This is an example of what can happen when states are empowered to invest federal dollars based on their local priorities,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “Thanks to Secretary McMahon’s commitment to local decision-making, we’re able to support high-quality tutoring that positively impacts Louisiana students.”
About the Steve Carter Tutoring Program
The Steve Carter Tutoring Program offers digital vouchers to families of eligible K–12 public school students. These funds can be used to purchase high-quality tutoring in literacy or math. All tutoring providers are vetted and approved by the LDOE, offering virtual or in-person options.
Statewide Tutoring Efforts
Louisiana was one of the first states to leverage high-dosage tutoring statewide to help close pandemic learning gaps. This investment has been a key factor in Louisiana’s unprecedented academic progress, moving from 49th in 2019 to 32nd now on The Nation’s Report Card.
The Steve Carter Tutoring Program is part of the larger Louisiana Tutoring Initiative, which provides high-quality tutoring both during and outside of the school day. While the Steve Carter program serves students after school, Accelerate: High-Dosage Tutoring supports K–5 students during the school day.