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.
Department Outlines Eligibility Requirements for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
BATON ROUGE, La.—The Louisiana Department of Education’s Division of Nutrition Support today announced it is seeking applications from eligible institutions interested in administering the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federally funded program that provides healthy, affordable meals to both children and adults. The program’s 2026 fiscal year begins October 1, 2025 and applications are accepted year-round.
The program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service Program. It is federally funded, but administered by individual states. Program participants receive meals and snacks through daycare centers, afterschool programs, emergency shelters and homes, among other locations. CACFP meals will be provided at sites under contract with the state education department, or at homes or daycare centers operating under agreements with sponsoring organizations under contract with the agency.
Eligibility
CACFP eligibility is based on the following income scales effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Households with incomes less than or equal to these levels are eligible for reduced price meals.
| Reduced Price Meal Eligibility: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Yearly | Monthly | Twice Per Month | Every Two Weeks | Weekly |
| 1 | $28,953 | $2,413 | $1,207 | $1,114 | $557 |
| 2 | $39,128 | $3,261 | $1,631 | $1,505 | $753 |
| 3 | $49,303 | $4,109 | $2,055 | $1,897 | $949 |
| 4 | $59,478 | $4,957 | $2,479 | $2,288 | $1,144 |
| 5 | $69,653 | $5,805 | $2,903 | $2,679 | $1,340 |
| 6 | $79,828 | $6,653 | $3,327 | $3,071 | $1,536 |
| 7 | $90,003 | $7,501 | $3,751 | $3,462 | $1,731 |
| 8 | $100,178 | $8,349 | $4,175 | $3,853 | $1,927 |
| Each additional family member add | + $10,175 | + $848 | + $424 | + $392 | + $196 |
In addition, the following individuals are automatically eligible:
- All child care participants who are in foster care and/or enrolled in Head Start centers;
- All child care participants who are recipients of the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formally Food Stamps), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) assistance units, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)*; and
- All adult care participants who are recipients FITAP, SNAP, FDPIR, SSI or Medicaid.*
*This applies to centers and homes receiving federal assistance from the CACFP.
Additional Information
See training opportunities for potential sponsors.
For more information on these programs, contact the Department’s Division of Nutrition Support at (225) 342-3720 or email [email protected].
Nondiscrimination Statement Effective 7/9/25:
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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