Investment gives educators practical tools, expert guidance, and classroom resources
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is investing more than $5.1 million in federal funding to strengthen instruction for students with disabilities. Approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), the resources will help educators target student needs through specialized training, classroom implementation support, and evidence-based instructional practices.
“Outside of the parent, nothing has a greater impact on student outcomes than the classroom teacher,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “This investment helps ensure more educators have the tools and training to meet the needs of every learner.”
The funding is designed to help teachers put high-quality instruction into practice for students who need additional support. To receive the funds, school systems must use high-quality instructional materials and evidence-based instructional practices.
The investment will provide educators with training on specialized supports for students with disabilities, including assistive technology, executive functioning, and communication supports. It also will fund stipends, substitutes, and professional learning partners to help schools put that work into practice.
Louisiana’s School Improvement Strategy
As part of Louisiana’s implementation of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the state’s ongoing school improvement work, the LDOE identifies struggling schools, approves and funds improvement plans, and supports implementation. Through the LDOE’s comprehensive application, known as Super App, school systems assess needs, access formula funds, and apply for competitive funding through one process. These funds help school systems meet federal ESSA planning requirements while advancing improvement efforts in schools that need the most support.