Baton Rouge, LA — Today, Americans for Prosperity-Louisiana (AFP-LA) and students from across Louisiana gathered at the State Capitol for an advocacy day to urge lawmakers to fully fund the LA GATOR program.
Throughout the morning, students met directly with legislators and staff, participated in a Capitol tour, and heard from policymakers and guest speakers about the importance of expanding educational opportunities. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley, Representative McMakin, and Julie Emerson, Chief of Staff to Governor Jeff Landry, joined AFP‑LA to engage with students and highlight the impact of empowering families with more educational options.
AFP-LA State Director Scott Simon said:
“Today, students from across the state came to Baton Rouge to urge lawmakers to fully fund LA GATOR and expand access to educational opportunities that put their needs first. LA GATOR is about putting education decisions back where they belong: with students and their families. Designed to expand access to flexible, student-centered learning options, whether through tutoring, specialized coursework, or alternative pathways, the program allows students to learn in ways that best meet their individual needs. Fully funding the program would ensure even more students have the chance to succeed in an environment that works for them.
“AFP-LA is proud to stand alongside these students and will continue to work to empower them to engage in the policymaking process and advocate for greater educational freedom.”
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley said:
“Educational freedom is a priority of our agency. It’s been an honor to serve families and students through the LA GATOR initiative.”
Representative McMakin said:
“State Representative Dixon McMakin emphasized the importance of following through on the state’s commitment to families. “Louisiana has taken an important step by creating this program, but now we must ensure it reaches the families it was designed to serve,” McMakin said. “Expanding access to LA GATOR is about giving parents real choices and making sure every child has the opportunity to succeed.”
Julie Emerson, Chief of Staff to Governor Jeff Landry, said:
“Louisiana must act now to keep pace with neighboring states expanding school choice. While other states are moving forward, Louisiana families are still left waiting. If we want to remain competitive and build a stronger future, we must prioritize our children by fully funding school choice and ensuring every family has access to the education that best fits their needs.”
As discussions around education funding continue, today’s turnout highlights a growing push to prioritize programs like LA GATOR that aim to increase access and flexibility for students and families across Louisiana.
