Louisiana Department of Education

Louisiana Department of Education
Name	Louisiana Department of Education
Formed	1847
Jurisdiction	State of Louisiana
Headquarters	Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Chief1 name	Dr. Cade Brumley
Chief1 position	State Superintendent
Parent department	Government of Louisiana
Website	www.louisianabelieves.com

Contents

History
Organization and leadership
Responsibilities and functions
Key initiatives and programs
Data and accountability
See also

Louisiana Department of Education. The Louisiana Department of Education is the state agency responsible for overseeing and supporting public schools throughout the State of Louisiana. Led by the State Superintendent of Education, the department executes policies set by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Louisiana Legislature. Its mission is to ensure all students are prepared for success in college, career, and life, operating under the banner of its public-facing initiative, **Louisiana Believes**.

History

The department's origins trace back to 1847 when the Louisiana State Constitution first provided for a statewide superintendent of public education. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, its structure evolved significantly, particularly following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision which challenged segregation in Louisiana schools. Major reforms were enacted in the late 20th century, including the 1997 passage of the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program for accountability. The post-Hurricane Katrina era saw transformative changes, including the growth of charter schools and the 2012 adoption of the Common Core State Standards, later tailored into the Louisiana Student Standards.

Organization and leadership

The department is part of the executive branch under the Governor of Louisiana. Policy is set by the eleven-member Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, eight of whom are elected from single-member districts and three appointed by the Governor of Louisiana. The board appoints the State Superintendent of Education, currently Dr. Cade Brumley, who serves as the chief executive officer. Internal divisions include offices for Teaching and Learning, School Accountability, and Talent Development, which work directly with local education agencies and school districts like East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Jefferson Parish Public Schools.

Responsibilities and functions

The agency's core duties include distributing state and federal funds, such as those from the Minimum Foundation Program and the Every Student Succeeds Act, to local school systems. It develops academic standards, administers statewide assessments including the LEAP 2025, and issues teaching credentials through its Teach Louisiana initiative. The department also provides direct support to school leaders, oversees special education services, and manages interventions for struggling schools identified through its accountability system. It collaborates with the Louisiana Board of Regents on college and career readiness pathways.

Key initiatives and programs

A central initiative is **Louisiana Believes**, encompassing the state's plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Key programs include the Louisiana Scholarship Program, a statewide school voucher system, and the extensive Course Choice catalog for supplemental courses. The department has championed early literacy through the Louisiana Literacy Foundations plan and supports career and technical education via Jump Start pathways. Other significant efforts include the Teacher Leader Summit, the Compass evaluation system for educators, and the Believe and Prepare teacher residency program.

Data and accountability

The department annually publishes the School Performance Scores and letter grades for all public schools, utilizing data from the LEAP 2025 assessments and other indicators. This accountability system, authorized by the Louisiana Legislature, classifies schools as **A** through **F** and can place chronically underperforming schools into the Recovery School District. Public data is disseminated through the **Louisiana School Finder** portal. The agency also complies with federal reporting requirements for the National Assessment of Educational Progress and the Civil Rights Data Collection.