Overview
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides formula grants to assist states in meeting the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities.
Funds under this federal formula grant are combined with state and local funds to provide a free and appropriate education (FAPE) to children with disabilities. Most IDEA federal formula funds provided to states are passed directly to school systems.
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Learn more about how education is funded.
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See allocation and expenditure data for IDEA federal funds, as well as other state and federal grant programs administered by the Louisiana Department of Education.
Partnership Opportunities
The Department periodically seeks partners to support special education initiatives. See current opportunities below.
Request for Applications: Special Education Professional Development and Support for Direct Services
IDEA Grant
Each year, the Department completes an IDEA grant application that outlines the use of IDEA Part B 611 state-level set aside funds. These funds are reserved for a variety of specified activities such as support and direct services, technical assistance and personnel preparation, monitoring and mediation, and improving the use of technology in the classroom.
Public Notice: Please review the Louisiana Department of Education IDEA application and interactive spreadsheet. All attachments are from last year as we are waiting for the FFY 2026 application, interactive spreadsheet and allocation information from the Department.
Public Comment: We are accepting public comments for the next 30 days. Please complete the Public Comment Form.