This is the 1st in a 2-part series about Louisiana using state funds to increase school choice.
Across the state of Louisiana, parents are being offered more educational opportunities for their children than ever before. School choice and scholarship programs that help students attend private school have recently gained more attention, and funding through state dollars. Through past and recent legislation, parents now have the option to send their children to certain private schools, with some assistance from the state. These programs fall under what is being called “school choice”. School choice has made private school an option for families who would normally not be able to afford it, including parents of students with disabilities.
For families of students with disabilities, the thought of having the option to attend private school can be exciting, but also intimidating. Many families see state-funded school choice programs and scholarships as a blessing, but many are also confused about the programs. Many families do not understand the difference between the programs or if they are eligible. Also, many families do not realize that changing from public to private school may change the services a child receives and the laws that protect them.
Continue reading to learn more about Louisiana’s school choice and scholarship programs, who they help, and how to decide if one might be right for your family.
The Beginning of State Funding for School Choice Programs
The Louisiana school choice law passed in 2008 gave certain students a chance to attend approved private schools using public funds. The law, called Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program, originally focused on giving students in Orleans Parish better options besides the failing schools they were attending. (Search for your school’s rating here.) In 2012, the program was expanded to include the entire state of Louisiana.
The state wanted to help more families have a choice about where their children attend school. The goal was for more students across the state to have more options that could meet their learning needs. By extending the program to all parishes, more families were given the chance to apply for scholarships to attend an approved private school if they believed it was the best fit for their child.
The best-known program under this law was the Louisiana Scholarship Program. In the program, the state took public education funds that would have gone to a child’s public school and sent the funds directly to an approved private school to help with the cost of tuition.
The Louisiana Scholarship Program helped families by giving students from low- and moderate-income households the opportunity to attend approved private schools with help from state-funded scholarships. According to the Louisiana Department of Education, the program increased access to quality education and slightly reduced racial segregation in schools. Research shows that students who used the scholarships had similar college enrollment rates compared to their peers (ERIC, 2020.) Overall, the program gave families more choices and opportunities while paving the path for the LA GATOR Scholarship Program.
The Louisiana Scholarship Program ended on June 30, 2025 and was replaced by the LA GATOR Scholarship Program.
What is the LA GATOR Program and who is eligible?
The LA GATOR Scholarship Program, also called The Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise, was signed into law on June 19, 2024. The program provides eligible families with a scholarship that is funded by an Education Savings Account, also called an ESA. An ESA is an account funded by the state that lets parents use the funds to pay for educational services.
Parents can use the funds for services such as private school tuition, tutoring, and educational therapies. Parents who homeschool can also use the funds to pay for textbooks, curricula, and more. Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, eligible students with disabilities could be awarded up to $15,523 and students without disabilities could get up to $5,243.
Students must meet ALL the following criteria:
- Was already in the Louisiana Scholarship Program
- Is enrolled in Kindergarten
- Wants to switch from public to private school
- Families earning at or below 250% of the federal poverty level
Louisiana’s School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities
The Louisiana School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities is designed specifically for students with disabilities. The program opens up the doors for other educational opportunities for students with disabilities who are not doing well in their current public school. Eligible students can get tuition assistance to attend an eligible private school that offers a special needs program. The school must have the resources and support available to meet the student’s needs that are identified in the IEP.
To be considered for this program, parents must submit a School Choice Application. The application has many parts and considers many factors. Some of the factors considered are the letter grade of the applicant’s home school, their diagnosed exceptionality, and the parish where they live. Applicants must also meet other criteria such as having an active IEP, having attended a Louisiana public school in an approved parish the previous school year, and having been accepted to attend an approved private school that can meet their needs identified in the IEP.
Families can use the tuition assistance to cover the cost of tuition and some fees. If the private school tuition is more than the amount of the assistance, parents are responsible for paying the difference. The Louisiana School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities offers parents options, similar to LA Gator. Before making a final decision, it is important for parents to understand how these programs can affect students with disabilities.
How does school choice affect students with disabilities?
Choosing the right educational program for a child with a disability is one of the most important decisions a parent will make. So it is essential to approach the process with a plan. By understanding the criteria for each program, identifying a child’s unique needs, and gathering information from others about schools, parents can make a decision that supports their child’s academic, social, and emotional growth.
School choice can possibly give students with disabilities access to smaller class sizes, specialized programs, or teaching styles that fit them better. It can also allow parents to pick a school that specializes in supporting students with disabilities through specialized programs. However, parents must also be aware that there are not many private schools specifically for students with disabilities.
In addition, private schools do not offer the large variety of special education support and services made available in most public schools. This is because IDEA only requires schools that receive public funding to offer special education services. That means parents might have to arrange for certain therapies or support on their own. (See our Disability Services Finder for listings in your area.)
Because of some of the possible challenges, it is important that parents take time to look at all of their options. When looking at all of their options, parents must also ask the right questions and gather the right information before making a decision. Choosing the right school for a child with a disability is not always easy, and what works for one child might not be the best fit for another.
The following steps can guide parents through the process and help ensure they choose a program that benefits their child:
Step 1: Learn the rules for the LA GATOR Program and the School Choice for Certain Students with Exceptionalities.
Step 2: Write down your child’s academic, social, emotional, and medical needs.
Step 3: Visit schools and ask direct questions about how they will meet those needs.
Step 4: Talk to parents who have children at the school.
Step 5: Compare what the tuition assistance covers with the total cost to see how much you will have to pay yourself.
Step 6: Have a backup plan in case private school is not the right fit.
Making the right decision about your child’s education takes time, research, and careful thought. By following these steps, you can feel more confident that you have explored your options and asked the right questions. Remember, the goal is to find a program and school environment where your child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Planning ahead and staying informed is the key to making good choices that lead to long term success.
The Future of School Choice
Louisiana’s school choice programs provide a number of educational options designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities across the state. Through traditional public schools, magnet programs, charter schools, and private school scholarship options, the Louisiana Department of Education supports several paths to learning. These options try to help students access environments that fit their academic, social, and developmental needs while providing high quality education and equity.
The addition of programs such as LA GATOR and continued support for students with disabilities shows the state is committed to increasing access for all. As programs continue to change, it is important to stay aware of the program offerings, eligibility criteria, and funding structures to ensure students with disabilities continue to benefit from such programs.
Stay tuned for the next blog in this series with more specifics on the Louisiana programs.
Written by Pamela White, Ed.S
