School Choice Options for Louisiana Students
“Expanding educational choice for student and families is one of Louisiana’s Education Priorities. Parents are their child’s first and foremost teachers, and are in control of their child’s education. Families should have the freedom to choose the educational setting that best meets their needs. That’s why we are committed to school choice options, from high-quality traditional public schools to public charters, non-public schools, and home-study programs. No child should be limited by their zip code.” ~LDOE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
For parents of children with disabilities considering the Louisiana GATOR Scholarship Program, it’s IMPORTANT to know that participating requires waiving your child’s IDEA rights. Be sure to read the details carefully and ask potential schools about their admission requirements and the support and services they offer. Below is the exact language of the law.
4037.9. Students with exceptionalities
A. If a participating student enrolled in a participating nonpublic school would have been entitled to receive special education services in the resident school system, his parent shall acknowledge in writing, as part of the program enrollment process, that the parent agrees to accept only such services as are available to all students enrolled in the participating school.
B. A parent may make a parental placement to receive special education and related services from a participating school that has demonstrated the capacity to offer such services.
C.(1) A participating school may adhere to its own admissions policy in considering the admission of students participating in the program.
A participating school shall not discriminate against a child with special educational needs during the program admissions process. However, a participating school is required to offer only those services that it already provides or such services as necessary to assist students with special needs that it can provide with minor adjustments. A participating school may partner or contract with the local school system to provide special education services.
(2) The department shall make information regarding the services participating schools and the resident school system can provide to children with special needs available to parents prior to the enrollment process.
LA GATOR Scholarship Program
The Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program was signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry June 19, 2024. Enacted by the 2024 Louisiana legislature (Act 1), this new program will for the first time ever provide education scholarship accounts (ESAs) to Louisiana families. These scholarships provide parents with an account that allows them to customize their child’s education. The scholarship accounts can be used for school tuition and fees, tutoring, educational therapies, textbooks and curricula, dual enrollment courses, and uniforms.
What are the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and will those at or below the 250% poverty level always be given priority over students from higher income families, even in later phases?
- All phases of the LA GATOR Program give some level of priority to students at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- The HHS Poverty Guidelines are updated annually and can be found at https://aspe.hhs.gov.
- According to 2024 Guidelines, the poverty guidelines for a family of 4 is $31,200.
- Students from families at or below 250% of that level would be eligible and prioritized for the LA GATOR Program (250% of $31,200 is $78,000).
BESE-Approved Nonpublic Schools
More than 100,000 students are enrolled in Louisiana nonpublic schools approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). Nonpublic schools may choose to seek BESE approval as a Nonpublic School Seeking State Approval, but it is not required.
Charter Schools
Louisiana charter schools are public schools operated by non-profit boards that are allowed increased autonomy in exchange for increased accountability. Charter schools are innovative, independent public schools that students may choose to attend. In exchange for operational autonomy in areas such as curricular, staffing, and budgetary decision making, all charter schools in Louisiana are held accountable for meeting student achievement goals and organizational and financial performance goals either by a local school board or by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).
Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval
Nonpublic schools may, but are not required to, seek state approval. Families wishing to independently educate their children have the option of attending a Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval or a BESE-Approved Home Study Program. Nonpublic Schools Not Seeking State Approval have not met the criteria established by the department for approval, or do not wish to seek state approval.
If families have any questions about implementing a Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval, they may contact the LDOE’s toll free number at 1.877.453.2721 or email homestudy@la.gov.
BESE-Approved Home Study Program
Louisiana Special Schools
Louisiana Families may choose to educate their children independently from the public or nonpublic school system. Louisiana families typically provide this independent education through a Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval or a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Approved Home Study Program.
LA Special School District provides education to students with low-incidence disabilities and a variety of unique needs in the state of Louisiana. Currently, the district operates the Louisiana School for the Deaf and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, along with schools located within public health facilities and correctional facilities.
Scholarship Programs
The Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP) is designed to provide students with additional opportunities to attend the school of their choice. To be eligible for a scholarship, students must have a family income that does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty line and must either be entering kindergarten or be enrolled in a public school with a C, D, F, or T letter grade during the year in which they apply.
Important Louisiana Scholarship Program Update
The Louisiana Scholarship Program will continue to be administered through the end of the 2024-2025 school year. The Louisiana Scholarship Program will sunset on June 30, 2025 and all Louisiana Scholarship Program students and nonpublic schools will receive priority access to the LA GATOR Scholarship Program. The Louisiana Department of Education is contacting current Louisiana Scholarship Program families and schools on next steps for the 2025-2026 school year.
If you are a current LSP family or school and have not been in contact with the LDOE and Odyssey about the transition to the LA GATOR Scholarship Program for the 2025-2026 school year, please contact them at 225-422-1538 or help.la@withodyssey.com.
School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities
Students with disabilities in some school districts may be eligible for the School Choice Program, which provides families with tuition assistance to attend eligible participating schools that offer special needs programs. Students wishing to attend a nonpublic school in parishes with a population of 190,000 or more are eligible for this program, which includes Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans and St.Tammany. Participating private schools must be eligible to receive state funding.
For more information about the School Choice Program for Students with Exceptionalities, including eligibility requirements and participating schools, please see the School Choice Program Family Participation Guide.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of School Choice at studentscholarships@la.gov.
Tuition Donation Credit Program
The Tuition Donation Credit Program empowers Louisiana families with the financial resources to choose the school that will best prepare their children for college and careers. This program provides credits to Louisiana state taxpayers that donate to tax-exempt, not-for-profit organizations that provide scholarships to students in low-income families, also known as School Tuition Organizations.
This program, established by the Louisiana Legislature, authorizes School Tuition Organizations to collect and use taxpayer donations to provide scholarships to students that meet the program’s income requirements to attend nonpublic schools. All School Tuition Organizations are tax-exempt, not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Taxpayers earn a credit toward their Louisiana state taxes for the year in which they make a donation.
Resources
U.S. Department of Education – School Choice
Find guidance and resources for parents, families, states, and local education agencies (LEAs) related to school choice including information on private schools, charter schools, homeschooling, magnet schools, and other school choice options.
COPAA
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) works to protect the civil rights and secure excellence in education on behalf of the 7 million children with disabilities eligible for special education services and supports under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the over 1.1 million children with 504 plans in America, as well as those children who should have IEPs or 504 plans but do not. COPAA believes that every child has the right to a high-quality education and an equal opportunity to achieve his or her full academic potential.
Rev. 2/6/2025
