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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 1029
BY REPRESENTATIVE HOFFMANN
CURRICULA: Provides relative to instruction in Civics and Free Enterprise
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:183.3(B)(2)(d), 274, 274.1, and 3996(B)(14) and to repeal2
R.S. 17:3996(B)(13), relative to curricula; to provide for Free Enterprise as an3
elective course rather than a prerequisite to high school graduation; to require4
inclusion of Free Enterprise instruction in the required Civics course; to provide5
relative to the duration and credit units of the Civics course; to provide for6
exceptions; to delete Free Enterprise from course requirements relative to the career7
major program; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related matters.8
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:9
Section 1. R.S. 17:183.3(B)(2)(d), 274, 274.1, and 3996(B)(14) are hereby amended10
and reenacted to read as follows:11
§183.3. Career major; description; curriculum and graduation requirements12
* * *13
B.14
* * *15
(2) The course requirements for the career major shall consist of the16
following:17
* * *18
(d) At least three social studies credits, including one unit of American19
History and one additional course selected from a list of social studies courses20 HLS 10RS-1453 ENGROSSED
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approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Each student1
shall successfully complete a course coursework in Civics and Free Enterprise, as2
provided in R.S. 17:274, and Civics, as provided in R.S. 17:274.1. 3
* * *4
§274. Free enterprise; personal finance components; required elective course 5
A. All public Public high schools shall may give instruction in a an elective6
course in free enterprise as a prerequisite to graduation. Instruction shall be given7
in accordance with the a course of study prescribed by the State Board of Elementary8
and Secondary Education for at least one semester, equal to one-half unit of credit.9
The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall prescribe suitable10
teaching materials for the instruction.11
B.(1) As used in this Section "free enterprise" means an economic system12
characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that13
are determined by private decision rather than state control and by prices, production,14
and the distribution of goods that are determined in a free manner. Instruction15
required herewith shall emphasize the positive values of profit and competition in16
a free economy and the enhancement of the worth and dignity of the individual under17
such a system.18
(2)(a) Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, the course of free19
enterprise as defined in this Subsection shall include instruction in personal finance.20
(b) Such instruction shall include but shall not be limited to the following21
components:22
(i) Income.23
(ii) Money management.24
(iii) Spending and credit.25
(iv) Savings and investing.26
C. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt27
regulations to insure instruction required herewith is given to all pupils in all public28
high schools and local boards of education of every city, parish and school district29 HLS 10RS-1453 ENGROSSED
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of this state shall schedule such instruction in accordance with said regulations of the1
State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. In-service training programs2
shall be provided each year by the State Department of Education to assist teachers3
who give instruction on the free enterprise system.4
D. The state superintendent of education shall have the authority at any time5
to waive such requirement for any person who is on active duty in the Armed Forces6
of the United States and who was transferred into the state during his senior year.7
The state superintendent of education shall also have the authority at any time to8
waive such requirement for any student who transfers to a school in Louisiana from9
any school outside the state of Louisiana during his senior year. The state10
superintendent of education shall have no authority to waive the teaching of the11
course on free enterprise for any entire high school student body.12
§274.1. Civics; and Free Enterprise; required course13
A. All public high schools shall give instruction in a course in Civics Civics14
and Free Enterprise as a prerequisite to graduation. Instruction shall be given in15
accordance with the course of study prescribed by the State Board of Elementary and16
Secondary Education for at least one semester, equal to one-half unit of credit. as17
provided in this Section. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education18
shall prescribe suitable teaching materials for the instruction. 19
B.(1) For students who enter the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2011,20
instruction in Civics shall be given for two semesters, equal to one unit of credit;21
such instruction shall include a section on Free Enterprise.22
(2) Students who enter the ninth grade prior to July 1, 2011, shall be allowed23
to choose from the following:24
(a) Instruction in Civics for two semesters, equal to one unit of credit, which25
shall include a section on Free Enterprise.26
(b) Instruction in Civics and Free Enterprise in separate courses, and27
instruction shall be given in each course for one semester, equal to one-half unit of28
credit, respectively.29 HLS 10RS-1453 ENGROSSED
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C.(1) The legislature finds that the study of Free Enterprise is crucial in the1
development of students as thoughtful, active citizens who understand the American2
economic system, appreciate democratic values, and can function productively in3
society. The legislature further finds it appropriate that the important principles of4
Free Enterprise be incorporated into the Civics curriculum as essential components5
of the way the nation and state operate. For the purposes of this Section,"Free6
Enterprise" means an economic system characterized by private or corporate7
ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision8
rather than state control and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that9
are determined in a free manner. Such instruction shall emphasize the positive values10
of profit and competition in a free economy and the enhancement of the worth and11
dignity of the individual under such a system.12
(2) Free Enterprise instruction shall include coursework on personal finance,13
which shall include but not be limited to the following components:14
(a) Income.15
(b) Money management.16
(c) Spending and credit.17
(d) Savings and investing.18
* * *19
§3996. Charter schools; exemptions20
* * *21
B. Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and22
except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a23
charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this24
Chapter and its approved charter and the school's officers and employees shall be25
exempt from all statutory mandates or other statutory requirements that are26
applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees except for27
the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:28
* * *29 HLS 10RS-1453 ENGROSSED
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(14) Teaching regarding Civics Civics and Free Enterprise, R.S. 17:274.1.1
* * *2
Section 2. R.S. 17:3996(B)(13) is hereby repealed in its entirety.3
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Hoffmann HB No. 1029
Abstract: Provides for Free Enterprise as an elective course rather than a prerequisite to
high school graduation and requires that Free Enterprise instruction be included in
Civics; expands the Civics requirement to one full year; delays implementation until
2011-2012 school year; allows certain students a choice as to how to fulfill Civics
and Free Enterprise course requirements.
Present law requires public high schools to provide instruction in a course in Civics and a
course in Free Enterprise as prerequisites to graduation, each for at least one semester and
1/2 credit unit. Proposed law increases Civics requirement from one semester to two
semesters and from 1/2 to one credit unit, makes Free Enterprise an elective rather than
a required course, and requires that a section on Free Enterprise be included in Civics.
Provides for implementation based on when students enter the ninth grade, as follows:
(1)On or after July 1, 2011: Civics for two semesters for one credit unit, including a
Free Enterprise section.
(2)Prior to July 1, 2011: A choice between the following:
(a)Civics for two semesters, for one credit unit, including a Free Enterprise
section.
(b)Civics and Free Enterprise in separate courses, for one semester and for 1/2
credit unit, respectively.
Present law provides for Civics and Free Enterprise course requirements relative to the high
school career major. Proposed law retains requirements for coursework in both Civics and
Free Enterprise but does not specify relative to a separate required course in each. Present
law requires charter schools to offer instruction in Civics and Free Enterprise. Proposed law
retains present law, subject to changes made by proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 17:183.3(B)(2)(d), 274, 274.1, and 3996(B)(14); Repeals R.S.
17:3996(B)(13))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original
bill.
1. Removed references to Civics and Free Enterprise course requirements relative
to TOPS.
2. Changed Free Enterprise to an elective course instead of deleting the Free
Enterprise course altogether. HLS 10RS-1453 ENGROSSED
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3. Added legislative findings relative to Free Enterprise.
4. Instead of excepting certain students from the requirement to take Civics as one
course, requires students entering ninth grade after July 1, 2011, to do so and
allows students entering ninth grade prior to that date a choice as to how to fulfill
Civics and Free Enterprise course requirements.