HLS 12RS-417 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 211
BY REPRESENTATIVE HARRISON
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: Limits class size and requires two teachers in kindergarten
through fourth grade classrooms
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:174(A) and (B) and to repeal R.S. 17:174(C), relative to2
requirements for kindergarten through fourth grade classrooms; to limit class size;3
to provide relative to required teaching staff; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 17:174(A) and (B) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as6
follows:7
ยง174. Class size; maximum; number of teachers8
A.(1) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, on and after September9
15, 1986, the number of students in any class, except physical education classes, in10
kindergarten through third fourth grade in any public city or parish city, parish, or11
other local public school system shall not exceed twenty fifteen except physical12
education classes, unless otherwise specifically authorized in writing by the State13
Superintendent of Education superintendent of education based upon regulations14
adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Such15
authorization shall be granted only on an individual basis with respect to each class.16
B.(2) No student above the maximum established herein in this Subsection17
shall be counted for purposes of determining the amount of funding or the allocation18
of teachers or administrators under the minimum foundation program formula for19
which provision is made in R.S. 17:7(2).20 HLS 12RS-417 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 211
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
B. At a minimum, two teachers shall be assigned to every kindergarten1
through fourth grade class, one qualified and designated to teach math and science2
and the other qualified and designated to teach English language arts.3
Section 2. R.S. 17:174(C) is hereby repealed in its entirety.4
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)]
Harrison HB No. 211
Abstract: Limits class size for kindergarten through 4
th
grade in public schools to 15
students and requires that two teachers be assigned to such classes.
Present law, to become effective and be implemented only upon appropriation of funds for
the purpose, limits the number of students in any kindergarten through 3rd grade class in a
local public school system to 20. Excepts physical education classes from this requirement.
Provides that the superintendent of education, based on regulations adopted by the State
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) may, on a class-by-class basis,
authorize a larger class size.
Proposed law removes the subject to appropriation of funds limitation and, relative to
kindergarten through 4th grade classes, limits class size to 15 students. Retains present law
exception for physical education classes and authority for the superintendent to grant
exceptions. Proposed law further provides that, at a minimum, two teachers shall be
assigned to every kindergarten through 4th grade class, one qualified and designated to teach
math and science and the other qualified and designated to teach English language arts.
(Amends R.S. 17:174(A) and (B); Repeals R.S. 17:174(C))