Louisiana’s education freedom ranking slides after funding shortfall

(The Center Square) − Louisiana’s steep drop in a national education policy ranking is the result of lawmakers’ decision to scale back funding for the state’s school choice program, according to a report released by the American Legislative Exchange Council.

The organization’s 2026 Index of State Education Freedom ranks Louisiana 33rd overall, down from 9th last year, after the legislature declined to fully fund the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise Scholarship Program, known as LA GATOR. The decision caused Louisiana to receive no points for student-centered funding even though the program exists in state law, the report said. It advised policymakers to tie LA GATOR funding directly to the state’s education funding formula to prevent future lapses.

LA GATOR sends public education funds to eligible students to use for private school tuition, homeschooling materials, tutoring and other approved resources. Louisiana joined a number of Republican-led states embracing univers...