Early Childhood Education Reforms

Investment in Child Care Assistance - 2023

Louisiana lawmakers allocate $44 million to early care and education.

Child Care for Every Community Act - 2023

Bill H.R. 953 to establish universal child care and early learning programs was introduced to the House of Representatives February 2023.

Forging a Bright Economic Future: LA B to 3 - 2022

Early Childhod Care and Education Commission Legislative Report.

Early Learning and Development Standards, Birth to Five Years - 2022

BESE adopts new early learning standards. Specific age standards are outlined, and should inform how early learners are expected to progress.

Accountability Plan to Measure Kindergarten through Second Grade Success - 2022

Louisiana adopted the state’s first accountability system for kindergarten through second grade.

Teacher Credentials - 2019

Lead teachers in publicly-funded early learning centers will need to have at least a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. To earn a CDA, teachers must complete 120 hours of instruction on child development and best practices in early care and education, undergo an assessment of their classroom ability, and pass a written test.

Performance Ratings - 2015

Public-funded programs receive a Performance Rating of Excellent, High Proficient, Proficient, Approaching Proficient, and Unsatisfactory. The ratings are based on the quality of teacher-child interactions (supporting child's growth and development). The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) tool is used in observations conducted on all public-funded programs. All early education programs that receive public funds (e.g. public PreK, NSECD, Head Start, CCAP) must participate in the rating system.

Under the current rating system, publicly-funded programs are required to use a child assessment tool called Teaching Strategies Gold (TS GOLD). TS GOLD is designed to show how children are progressing in their development and learning on 36 to 38 objectives. These assessments help teachers identify ways that they can help children develop their skills and abilities. The child assessment is not a test but a process which allows teachers to observe children’s strengths over time in everyday classroom situations.

Coordinated Enrollment - 2014

Legislation passed requires every parish to coordinate enrollment for all publicly-funded seats in early learning programs. Parents are able to learn about and apply to early childhood programs through the coordinated enrollment process.

In New Orleans, families may use one application to apply for publicly-funded early childhood programs, regardless of whether that program is located in a school, private early learning center or Head Start program. Tuition assisted (CCAP) seats are not part of NCAP (formely OneApp).

Visit NOLA-PS Enrollment for information about the NCAP application and the enrollment process.