IEP Service Delivery in Louisiana
How are IEP services delivered in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, the local education agency (LEA) — typically the school district or individual charter school — is responsible for delivering all special education and related services specified in the IEP at no cost to families (La. R.S. 17:1941; Bulletin 1706, §230). In New Orleans, where all-charter school systems exist, individual charter schools may operate as independent LEAs directly accountable for special education provision (La. R.S. 17:3996; Bulletin 1706, §§156(C), 905). FAPE is available to all students with exceptionalities residing in Louisiana between the ages of 3 and 21, inclusive (Bulletin 1706, §230; La. R.S. 17:1941). Students must be placed as close as possible to their home and generally at the school they would attend if nondisabled (Bulletin 1706, §116(A)(2)–(3)). Louisiana's continuum of alternative placements ranges from regular classes (regular education setting = 80%+ of day with nondisabled peers) through special classes, special schools, residential facilities, hospital/homebound instruction (Bulletin 1530, §117). Louisiana's Early Steps program provides Part C early intervention services for children birth through age 2, with transition planning to Part B beginning at age 2.5. Special education teachers must hold Louisiana certification with appropriate special education endorsements. Louisiana also has a unique April Dunn Act (Act 833) allowing eligible students with disabilities to earn a standard high school diploma through alternate means.
What Louisiana Requires
FAPE must be available to all students with exceptionalities ages 3 through 21 residing in Louisiana, at no cost to families (La. R.S. 17:1941; Bulletin 1706, §230).
La. R.S. 17:1941; Bulletin 1706, §230
The LEA is responsible for providing all IEP services; in New Orleans' all-charter systems, individual charter schools typically serve as LEAs (La. R.S. 17:3996; Bulletin 1706, §156(C)).
La. R.S. 17:3996; Bulletin 1706, §156(C)
Students must be placed as close as possible to home and at the school they would attend if nondisabled (Bulletin 1706, §116(A)(2)–(3)).
Bulletin 1706, §116(A)(2)–(3)
The April Dunn Act (La. R.S. 17:183.2(B) and 17:183.3) allows eligible students with disabilities whose disabilities persistently impact progress with the general education curriculum to earn a standard high school diploma through alternate means.
La. R.S. 17:183.2(B) and 17:183.3
Louisiana Early Steps (Part C) provides early intervention services for children birth through age 2; transition planning to Part B must begin at age 2.5 with IEP in place by the child's third birthday (Bulletin 1530, §105; 34 CFR 300.124).
Bulletin 1530, §105
Key Timelines
FAPE is available from age 3 through age 21, inclusive (La. R.S. 17:1941; Bulletin 1706, §230).
FAPE obligation ends upon graduation with a regular high school diploma or reaching age 22 (Bulletin 1706, §230; 34 CFR 300.102).
Part C to Part B transition IEP must be in place by child's third birthday (Bulletin 1530, §105).