LDOE to add LEP ‘remove me’ feature and require SSN validation for permissions

On the monthly LDOE webinar, Alana Hutchinson walked participants through recent and upcoming updates to the Louisiana Educator Portal (LEP) that are intended to improve application routing and close a security gap.

Hutchinson said the application directory — which lists available application forms — has been visible for several months and now any user with an educator profile can view it even if they have not validated their Social Security number. “So anyone that can log in to LEP can now see the applications in the application directory and explore the forms that are available there,” she said.

A new "remove me" option for HR and preparation-provider personnel will allow a verifier to remove their entity from an application (for example, if the wrong application was routed or the verifier should not be confirming the applicant’s information). Hutchinson cautioned that the action removes the entire verifying authority (district or preparation provider), not just an individual’s personal view, and that an automated, generic email will be sent to the applicant naming the application type and verifier. She recommended verifiers also send a custom message explaining why they removed themselves and what corrections are needed.

Hutchinson described a security issue caused by some users creating two LEP accounts — one with employer permissions and one with a personal SSN — which permitted self-verification in some cases. To address this, LDOE will implement a security feature in the next month or two requiring that a Social Security number be validated on the educator profile before any HR or preparation-provider permissions (including early childhood permissions) appear in LEP. Hutchinson advised that the validation process requires entering the SSN, selecting a validator, uploading a copy of the Social Security card, and waiting for departmental approval. She said technical audits show only about 10–12 people remain unvalidated at the time of the call.

Why it matters: the changes affect who can see application data, how verifiers disengage from incorrect or inappropriate applications, and how LEP prevents self-verification. District HR staff and preparation providers should validate SSNs if they expect their permissions to display in the near future.

For administrators: Hutchinson recommended reviewing existing communications to remove links to legacy payment portals and reminded participants of documentation showing steps for SSN validation in LEP; she encouraged verifiers to follow up with applicants directly after using the "remove me" function so applicants know how to resubmit or correct an application.