This information was produced by the staff of the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development (B-BC) at the University of Iowa (belinblank.org). The resources and information listed here are for informational purposes; there is no direct or implied endorsement by the B-BC. Services provided by the B-BC include programs for academically talented K-12 and college students, professional development for teachers, the Assessment and Counseling Clinic, the Acceleration Institute (accelerationinstitute.org), and graduate programs and research in gifted education.

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State Policies in Louisiana  

Louisiana's state policy leaves local education agencies (LEA) to determine whether and to what extent acceleration is permitted.

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergartenState policy leaves LEA to determine. Students must be 5 on or before September 30 in order to enroll in kindergarten, but RS 17:151.3 states that a child may enter kindergarten at a younger age, provided that such child has been evaluated and identified as gifted in accordance with the State Department of Education regulations.
Early entrance to 1st gradeRS 17:151.3 states that as a prerequisite to enrollment in first grade, each student must have been enrolled in kindergarten for a full school year or have satisfactorily passed an academic readiness screening. Any child who has successfully completed kindergarten is eligible to enter first grade.
Whole-grade accelerationThough Louisiana state policy does not permit acceleration, each LEA is responsible for describing the policies and procedures for identifying and placing students in "advanced grade levels", including the LEA criteria for content-based and whole-grade acceleration, in their Pupil Progression Plan. Information regarding the Pupil Progression Plan is available at the bottom of the graduation requirements page.
Early high school graduation

State policy requires each LEA to develop an early graduation program allowing students to complete all requirements and receive a high school diploma in less than four years. This program must be outlined in the LEA's Pupil Progression Plan. State policy also permits the award of an alternate high school diploma to gifted and talented students on completion of their GED. The Louisiana Department of Education website has more information on high school graduation requirements and the Pupil Progression Plan.

Early entrance to collegeSoutheastern Louisiana University offers high school student programs, including an early admission option for students who have completed their junior year of high school and meet admission criteria.

Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or universityState policy specifically permits dual enrollment beginning in the middle school grades. State policy specifically allows students to receive high school credit for college courses. More information is available on the Louisiana Department of Education Dual Enrollment page.
Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

State policy specifically permits dual enrollment in middle school and high school, allows students to receive high school credit for courses taken while in middle school.
Advanced Placement®Louisiana's AP participation has grown immensely over the past several years. More information is available on the Louisiana Department of Education Advanced Placement page. 
Talent Search

There is no in-state talent search program in Louisiana, but gifted students in LA can participate in regional and national talent search programs such as those offered by the University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center or the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy does not permit proficiency-based promotion.
Other forms of content-based acceleration

Typically left to LEAs to determine. If you know of state-level code, please e-mail us.

Additional Information

Louisiana Department of Education Gifted Website
Louisiana Department of Education
Association for Gifted & Talented Students of Louisiana

The information presented on this page was compiled from a variety of resources, including the State of the States in Gifted Education 2018-2019 (a report by the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted and the National Association for Gifted Children), Websites, professional literature, and personal communication. The Acceleration Institute has not verified the accuracy of this information and does not warrant its accuracy or fitness of use for any purpose. Users should verify information prior to taking any action. Furthermore, the appearance of selected programs and/or resources does not imply an endorsement or affiliation. Programs and resources are highlighted for informational purposes only.