SLS 10RS-748 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. 553
BY SENATOR LAFLEUR
SCHOOLS. Requires BESE to develop an early high school graduation policy. (gov sig)
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:7(29), relative to the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the State2
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; to require the board to develop and3
adopt an early high school graduation policy; to provide relative to implementation4
of such policy by local school boards; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 17:7(29) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 7
ยง7. Duties, functions, and responsibilities of board8
In addition to the authorities granted by R.S. 17:6 and any powers, duties, and9
responsibilities vested by any other applicable laws, the board shall:10
* * *11
(29)(a) By the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, develop and adopt12
a policy whereby students shall be allowed to accelerate their academic13
progress, complete all high school graduation requirements established by the14
board, and receive a high school diploma in less than four years.15
(b) Such policy shall encourage and support students who seek early16
graduation from high school and provide for mechanisms to facilitate17 SB NO. 553
SLS 10RS-748 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
implementation of this early high school graduation policy by local public1
schools and school systems which may include flexible course scheduling and2
use of distance learning, online courses, Advanced Placement, International3
Baccalaureate, and other accelerated learning programs and examinations.4
(c) Each city, parish, and other local public school board shall fully5
implement the provisions of the early high school graduation policy adopted by6
the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and shall include such7
in its pupil progression plan.8
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not9
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature10
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If11
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become12
effective on the day following such approval.13
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
Proposed law requires BESE, by the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, to develop and
adopt a policy whereby students will be allowed to accelerate their academic progress,
complete all high school graduation requirements, and receive a high school diploma in less
than four years.
Provides that such policy will encourage and support students who seek early graduation
from high school and provide for mechanisms to facilitate implementation of this early high
school graduation policy by local public schools and school systems which may include
flexible course scheduling and use of distance learning, online courses, Advanced
Placement, International Baccalaureate, and other accelerated learning programs and
examinations.
Requires each city, parish, and other local public school board to fully implement the
provisions of the early high school graduation policy adopted by BESE and to include such
in its pupil progression plan.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:7(29))