Featured News and Releases
Explore the most recent developments shaping education in Louisiana. From policy updates to success stories, stay up to date with what's happening across our state.
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LOUISIANA STUDENTS SELECTED FOR 2026 US SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM
January 28, 2026The United States Senate Youth Program announced that high school students Alena Dmitriyevna Alexeeva of Metairie and Anthony Mark Plaisance of Gray will join U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy and U.S. Senator John N. Kennedy in representing Louisiana during the program’s 64th annual Washington Week.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LAUNCHES THE PRESIDENTIAL 1776 AWARD TO CELEBRATE AMERICA’S SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL
January 27, 2026Three winners will receive scholarships totaling $250,000, with the national finals to be held in Washington, D.C. in June 2026.
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PUBLIC NOTICE: ESEA CONSOLIDATED FUNDING WAIVER
January 27, 2026Louisiana has opted to pursue a waiver of provisions in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act related to a consolidated funding allocation for the administration of federal programs.
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LOUISIANA SCHOOL CUSTODIAN NAMED NATIONAL RISE AWARD WINNER BY U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION LINDA MCMAHON
January 22, 2026The RISE Award is the nation’s highest recognition for education support professions and honors classified school employees—paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, and more—whose exceptional service supports student success and strengthens school communities nationwide.
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U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION VISITS LOUISIANA TO HIGHLIGHT CIVICS EDUCATION AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP
January 22, 2026U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited New Orleans as part of the national History Rocks! Trail to Independence tour, a U.S. Department of Education initiative celebrating America’s upcoming 250th birthday by spotlighting civics education and student engagement.
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PUBLIC NOTICE: APPLICATION FOR THE ED-FLEX PROGRAM
January 20, 2026Louisiana has opted to pursue the opportunity to apply for the Educational Flexibility (Ed-Flex) Program.
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PUBLIC NOTICE: PROPOSED REVISIONS TO LOUISIANA’S ESSA STATE PLAN
January 13, 2026Louisiana has opted to pursue this opportunity to amend its State Plan to transition from high school subject-specific end-of-course assessments to a set of high school comprehensive exams in English language arts and mathematics.
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LOUISIANA RELEASES APPLICATIONS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION LEAD AGENCIES AND READY START NETWORKS
January 13, 2026The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is preparing to release two Requests for Applications (RFAs) to support early childhood education work across the state.
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DEPARTMENT SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM SPONSORS
January 9, 2026The Louisiana Department of Education's Division of Nutrition Support is now accepting applications from eligible agencies and organizations to serve as sponsors and program sites for the 2026 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides healthy meals to children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, during the summer months when school is not in session.
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LOUISIANA ANNOUNCES 2026 STUDENTS OF THE YEAR REGIONAL HONOREES
January 6, 2026The LDOE and BESE recognize outstanding fifth, eighth, and twelfth-grade students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, academic performance, achievements, citizenship, and service to the school and community through the Students of the Year program.
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LOUISIANA AWARDED $15 MILLION TO STRENGTHEN LITERACY INSTRUCTION
December 16, 2025Louisiana Department of Education to lead multi-year study on increasing the impact of high-dosage tutoring — building on strong legislative investment and proven gains in student reading
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LOUISIANA SCHOOL PERFORMANCE SCORE INCREASES FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
November 20, 2025Individual School and District Performance Scores are now available on the LDOE website. The LDOE has also published a list of the top systems and schools in the state for achievement and growth.
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LOUISIANA TO RECOGNIZE CLASS OF 2026 WITH AMERICA 250 SEAL ON HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS
November 19, 2025Governor Jeff Landry and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley announced, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, that diplomas awarded to the Class of 2026 will feature a commemorative America 250 seal.
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LOUISIANA K-3 READING PROFICIENCY CLIMBS TO 50 PERCENT
November 12, 2025This marks the second consecutive year of growth on the beginning-of-year screener and the highest overall proficiency level since Louisiana began these reading assessments in the 2023-2024 school year.
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LOUISIANA TEACHER SURPRISED WITH $25,000 MILKEN EDUCATOR AWARD
November 4, 2025Jefferson Parish Schools teacher Sarah Watkins becomes the newest Louisiana educator to win the "Oscars of Teaching."
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TWO LOUISIANA STUDENTS NAMED 2025 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS
November 3, 2025Among those honored are two outstanding Louisiana students: Vaishnavi Kumbala of Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies and Nicholas “Nick” White of Isidore Newman School.
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PUBLIC NOTICE: ESEA WAIVER REQUEST
October 30, 2025BESE, through LDOE, is requesting a waiver of the requirements in ESEA section 1111(b)(2)(C) and the corresponding regulation 34 CFR § 200.5(b) during a two-year transition period over the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years.
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LOUISIANA NAMES PHYSICAL EDUCATION STANDARDS REVIEW COMMITTEE
October 20, 2025Committee members include educators, school system leaders, higher education faculty, and community members with demonstrated expertise in physical education.
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LOUISIANA RECOGNIZES SCHOOLS FOR NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON
October 16, 2025The honorees include public and nonpublic schools and are located in East Baton Rouge, Iberia, Jefferson, Lafayette, Livingston, Orleans, Terrebonne, and Vermilion parishes.
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LOUISIANA REDUCES STATE TESTING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
October 15, 2025Louisiana is reducing the number of state assessments in high school from six to four, streamlining the testing experience for students and educators. Beginning with students entering ninth grade in 2026–2027, new comprehensive exams in English language arts and math will replace current multi-test formats.