SLS 10RS-499 ORIGINAL
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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. 522
BY SENATOR MICHOT
TEXTBOOKS/MATERI ALS. Requires BESE to increase the availability of electronic
textbooks and instructional materials. (8/15/10)
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:8.2, relative to textbooks and other instructional materials; to provide for2
the inclusion of electronic textbooks and instructional materials on state approved3
lists of textbooks and materials that may be used in elementary and secondary4
schools; to encourage the adoption and use of electronic textbooks and instructional5
materials; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 17:8.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 8
ยง8.2. Electronic textbooks and instructional materials9
A.(1) When exercising its authority to prescribe and adopt free10
textbooks and other instructional materials for use in the public schools and11
other programs under its jurisdiction, the Board of Elementary and Secondary12
Education shall make every effort to ensure that electronic versions are13
available for every title it approves for placement on the state list of approved14
textbooks and instructional materials.15
(2) Where there is an electronic version available for a printed textbook16
or instructional material that has been approved by the board, the electronic17 SB NO. 522
SLS 10RS-499 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
version shall also be placed on the state list of textbooks and instructional1
materials approved for use in public elementary and secondary schools.2
B. When inviting publishers to participate in the state textbook adoption3
process, the Department of Education shall clearly communicate the state's4
desire to increase the availability and accessibility of electronic textbooks and5
instructional materials in the state's public elementary and secondary schools6
and shall encourage all publishers to provide electronic versions of the products7
they offer for state adoption, whether in addition to, or in lieu of, the printed8
version.9
C.(1) Each city, parish, and other local public school board is10
encouraged to maximize the availability and accessibility of electronic textbooks11
and instructional materials in the public schools under its jurisdiction when12
developing its local textbook adoption plan.13
(2) A local school board that would like the option to purchase an14
electronic version of a textbook or other instructional material on the state15
approved list for which none is provided, shall submit a request for such to the16
State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.17
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
Present law (R.S. 17:7) gives the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
(BESE) the authority to prescribe and adopt free textbooks and other instructional materials
for use in the public schools and other programs under its jurisdiction.
Proposed law (R.S. 17:8.2) provides that when exercising this authority, BESE shall make
every effort to ensure that electronic versions are available for every title it approves for
placement on the state list of approved textbooks and instructional materials.
Provides that where there is an electronic version available for a printed textbook or
instructional material that has been approved by the board, the electronic version shall also
be placed on the state list of textbooks and instructional materials approved for use in public
elementary and secondary schools.
Requires the Dept. of Education, when inviting publishers to participate in the state textbook
adoption process, to clearly communicate the state's desire to increase the availability and
accessibility of electronic textbooks and instructional materials in the state's public schools
and to encourage all publishers to provide electronic versions of the products they offer for
state adoption, whether in addition to, or in lieu of, the printed version. SB NO. 522
SLS 10RS-499 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Encourages city, parish, and other local public school boards to maximize the availability
and accessibility of electronic textbooks and instructional materials when developing their
local textbook adoption plan.
Directs a local school board that would like the option to purchase an electronic version of
a textbook or other instructional material on the state approved list for which none is
provided, to submit a request for such to BESE.
Effective August 15, 2010.
(Adds R.S. 17:8.2)