By Richard Searles

Louisiana Special Ed Classrooms: Who is Watching?

The Focus: As of February 1, 2026, Act 479 (now codified as R.S. 17:1948) requires at least one camera in every “self-contained” special education classroom in Louisiana. While the hardware is being installed across the state, a report by Verite News highlights a massive gap in oversight: the law mandates recording, but it does not require anyone to actually watch the footage.

The Big Picture:

• The Mandate: Schools must now record both audio and video in classrooms where the majority of students have disabilities. Unlike previous years, where cameras were only installed upon request, Act 479 makes this installation automatic and mandatory.

• The “Blind Spot”: Under the law, footage is generally only reviewed after an incident is reported or a parent makes a formal request. There is no requirement for live, proactive monitoring by school staff.

• The Compliance Gap: Per R.S. 17:1948(D), if a camera is non-functional for more than two consecutive school days, the school must notify parents. However, it remains unclear who is auditing districts to ensure these systems remain turned on and operational.

Why it matters to Parish parents: If your child is in a self-contained classroom, you have a legal right to request a review of the footage if you suspect an incident has occurred. However, time is of the essence: R.S. 17:1948(C) requires schools to retain these recordings for only 30 days (one month) before they can be deleted.

The “Bottom Line”: While proponents say the cameras provide a “silent witness” to protect students and teachers alike, the lack of a centralized monitoring system means the burden of accountability still falls largely on parents to act quickly and speak up.