LDOE reports CCAP wait‑list declines, improved performance profiles and plans for contracted‑seat transition; family engagement grants highlighted

The Louisiana Department of Education presented its quarter‑4 early childhood care and education report, citing a decline in the CCAP wait list, gains in early learning quality metrics and preparations to transition administration of certain contracted seats programs to the department.

Karen Powell, presenting performance data, told the council that the 2023–24 performance profiles represented the highest scores ever across site types. “More than 95% of sites [are] currently earning a rating of proficient or higher,” Powell said, and the share rated proficient or higher rose from 68% when ratings began to roughly 95% in the most recent cycle. Powell said infant/toddler and classroom organization domains have shown measurable gains and that the state is working to raise instructional support scores next.

In programmatic updates, staff said changes in CCAP eligibility and procedures effective Oct. 1, 2024 (including presumptive eligibility, suspension of child‑support income counts for eligibility, and $0 co‑payments for children with disabilities when eligible) have coincided with an increase in participation and an ongoing, month‑by‑month removal from the wait list. The department reported it is actively removing…