“Louisiana has taken a bold step to reform education, empowering families with choice and providing transformative opportunities to all students, with a focus on those with the highest needs.
“I extend my appreciation to Gov. Jeff Landry, Rep. Laurie Schlegel, Rep. Julie Emerson, Rep. Rhonda Butler, Sen. Beth Mizell, Sen. Rick Edmonds and the entire legislature for their commitment to Louisiana families and parental choice. By ensuring every student has access to the school and resources they need to achieve their full potential, these bold leaders are taking a significant step to individualizing education and positioning a generation of children for future success.”
About the Legislation
SB 313 creates the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program, a phased-in universal education scholarship account (ESA) program that replaces the state’s current Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence voucher program, beginning in March 2025.
Participating families use funds for tuition, textbooks and instructional materials, fees for examinations and tuition for dual enrollment courses. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is also authorized to approve additional educational expenses.
Current public school students, incoming kindergarteners and children from families making up to 250% of the federal poverty level ($75,000 for a family of four) are eligible for scholarships in the first phase of the program, with an enrollment preference for students participating in the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence program, which currently serves more than 5,500 students.
In the second phase, current public school students, incoming kindergarteners and children from families making up to 400% of the federal poverty level ($106,00 for a family of four) are eligible for scholarships.
By the program’s third phase, LA GATOR scholarships will be universal and available to all families statewide. At that time, families making up to 250% of the federal poverty level and students qualified to participate in the state’s Course Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities will continue to have an enrollment preference.
The legislation now heads to Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk for signature.
