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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
SENATE BILL NO. 517
BY SENATOR WALSWORTH
SCHOOLS. Recognizes that a diploma issued to a student who has successfully completed
an approved home study program carries the same privileges as one issued by a public
school or a private school. (8/15/10)
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:236.1(G) and (H), relative to home study programs; to require that2
approved home study diplomas carry the same privileges as those issued by public3
schools and approved private schools; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 17:236.1(G) and (H) are hereby enacted to read as follows: 6
ยง236.1. Approval of home study programs 7
* * *8
G. All certificates and diplomas issued to a student who has successfully9
completed an approved home study program shall carry the same privileges as10
one issued by a state public school or approved private school, provided that a11
final transcript is submitted to the department in order to verify that the12
student has completed the required curriculum in order to graduate.13
H. Notwithstanding any rule, regulation, or other provision of law to the14
contrary, a high school diploma awarded by any legal form of education in this15
state shall be considered by all departments, agencies, commissions, post-16
secondary institutions, or other such entities of state and local government as17 SB NO. 517
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
having all the rights and privileges of a high school diploma. For purposes of1
this Subsection, "postsecondary institution" means any educational entity2
situated in this state that is operated, approved, or licensed by an agency, board3
or other body created by the constitution or laws of this state.4
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
Present law requires a parent or legal guardian to apply to the Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education (BESE) for approval of a home study program within 15 days after
commencement of the program. Provides for a renewal application to be made by October
1
st
of the school year, or within 12 months of approval of the initial application, whichever
is later. Requires BESE to make notifications of such applications to the appropriate local
school superintendents.
Present law further requires each such application for participation in a home study program
to be approved if the parent submits to the board satisfactory evidence that the program has
in fact offered a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public
schools at the same grade level. Requires the parent, to substantiate this fact, to submit with
the renewal application a packet of materials which includes such documents as a complete
outline of each of the subjects taught during the previous year, list of books and materials
used, copies of the student's work, copies of standardized tests, statements by third parties
who have observed the child's progress, and any other evidence of the quality of the program
being offered.
Present law provides that if the material submitted is inadequate, the Dept. of Education
must notify the parent of the deficiencies and request additional materials. Requires BESE,
based on all information submitted, to make such determinations on program quality as
required in present law and then approve or disapprove the application accordingly.
Present law requires that a renewal application be approved if, in lieu of submission of such
packet of materials, the parent submits with the application any one of the following:
(1)Verification that the child has taken the competency-based education examination
(LEAP) and scored at or above the passing level established by BESE for public
school students at his grade level.
(2)Verification that the child has taken the California Achievement Test (CAT) or such
other BESE approved standardized examination and the child has scored at or above
his grade level or the child has progressed at a rate equal to one grade level for each
year in home study program.
(3)A statement from a teacher certified to teach at the child's grade level that the
program is one that offers and being taught in accordance with a sustained
curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same
grade level.
Proposed law retains present law but provides that all certificates and diplomas issued to a
student who has successfully completed an approved home study program will carry the
same privileges as one issued by a state public school or approved private school, provided
that a final transcript is submitted to the department in order to verify that the student has
completed the required curriculum in order to graduate. SB NO. 517
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Proposed law provides that a high school diploma awarded by any legal form of education
in the state will be considered as having all the rights and privileges of a high school
diploma.
Proposed law defines "Postsecondary institution" as any educational entity situated in the
state that is operated, approved, or licensed by an agency, board or other body created by the
constitution or laws of La.
Effective August 15, 2010.
(Adds R.S. 17:236.1(G) and (H))