EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS: Louisiana Becomes 11th State to Enact Educational Fund

by Kerri Cooke

It is widely known that Louisiana lags behind many other states in the education department, with literacy being a big issue. Steps are being taken to improve learning and test scores, and one of the ways Louisiana is combating its low education scores and graduation rates is by introducing education savings accounts (ESAs) for all students across the state to help cater directly to your child’s individual needs. Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR), which was signed into law last year by Governor Jeff Landry, is a program parents can opt into if they believe their child could benefit from receiving an education somewhere other than their closest school.

The state allocates funds for every child in the state already. Usually that money is sent to public schools and is part of the budget to help your child thrive in that school. LA GATOR would have a portion of the money that is already being spent on your child’s education sent instead towards another institution or learning program of your choice. This is especially helpful if a child has special needs, is struggling at their current school or has some form of learning disability.

The amount of money available to parents depends on income levels and the specific student in question. The money in the account can be used towards private school tuition, online education, tutoring, special equipment, transportation costs and educational materials.

The ESA program is being phased in over a period of a few years and will begin in August for low-income children, children with disabilities, children entering kindergarten and students wanting to withdraw from a public school. Eligibility will expand over the next few years. 11 other states have ESA programs and have had great success with them.

Before applying through the Louisiana’s Odyssey portal, parents should familiarize themselves with the criteria for approval. There is a database of participating schools and providers to ensure whatever your child’s educational path looks like, there is a good option for them. Review eligibility requirements to make sure your child qualifies for an ESA. Determine what the expected expenses for your child’s education will be for a school year, and ensure you have the proper documentation to apply for the program.

The ESA program was enacted to guarantee that every child is able to access a quality education regardless of their specific needs and ease the burden on parents to make that happen. While America spends more money per child on education than any other country in the world, this is not corelating to the amount of success students are having in education. By offering aid for specialized programs, Louisiana and other states with ESA legislation are hoping to gain ground in educational success. Eventually, ESAs in Louisiana will be open to K-12 children from families of all-income levels.

Visit doe.louisiana.gov for more information.