HLS 13RS-3343 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 156
BY REPRESENTATIVE PYLANT
SCHOOLS/CHOICE: Requests that the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education
and others study potential funding sources for online courses offered through the
Course Choice Program and opportunities for increasing broadband access for
students
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in2
collaboration with the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and the3
Louisiana School Boards Association, to study potential funding sources for online4
or virtual courses offered through the Course Choice Program and opportunities for5
increasing broadband access for students throughout the state and to submit a written6
report of findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Education and7
the Senate Committee on Education not later than sixty days prior to the beginning8
of the 2014 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.9
WHEREAS, as stated in the Constitution of Louisiana, it is the goal of the public10
educational system to provide learning environments and experiences at all stages of human11
development that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that every12
individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential; and13
WHEREAS, current law provides for the Course Choice Program, through which14
students may enroll in courses offered by a course provider; and15
WHEREAS, current law includes online or virtual education providers in the16
definition of course provider and requires that course providers be authorized by the State17
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE); and18
WHEREAS, current law states that "online or virtual course providers can serve as19
quality course providers for students who desire additional access to high quality courses,20 HLS 13RS-3343 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 156
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especially but not limited to students enrolled in low-performing public schools, students1
who for reasons of geography may not be able to exercise their right to educational choice,2
and students who may desire an alternative schooling schedule or calendar"; and3
WHEREAS, BESE policy provides for a series of requirements that must be met by4
online course providers, including following the International Association for K-12 Online5
Learning (iNACOL) National Standards for Quality Online Courses; ensuring that all6
instructors are evaluated and delivering instruction in accordance with the iNACOL National7
Standards for Quality Online Teaching; maintaining a program that is in alignment with the8
iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Programs; having a staff/instructor9
acceptable use policy for technology; and providing an electronic communication policy that10
complies with federal and state law, including information on Internet safety practices and11
policies; and12
WHEREAS, BESE has authorized several online or virtual course providers to offer13
courses through the Course Choice Program, and numerous other states are providing14
opportunities for students to enroll in online or virtual courses; and15
WHEREAS, broadband access is a key factor in the continuing development of16
online and virtual education in Louisiana, and all available avenues for increasing such17
access for students throughout the state should be explored; and 18
WHEREAS, in order to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every19
student an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential, it is appropriate that potential20
funding sources for online or virtual courses offered through the Course Choice Program and21
opportunities for increasing broadband access for students throughout the state receive a22
thorough evaluation.23
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby24
urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in collaboration25
with the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and the Louisiana School Boards26
Association, to study potential funding sources for online or virtual courses offered through27
the Course Choice Program and opportunities for increasing broadband access for students28
throughout the state and to submit a written report of findings and conclusions to the House29 HLS 13RS-3343 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 156
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Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education not later than sixty days1
prior to the beginning of the 2014 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such report shall include but not be limited to3
the identification of local, state, federal, and other funding sources for such courses,4
measures being taken by other states with respect to funding online or virtual courses and5
increasing broadband access for students, and any recommendations for legislation related6
to the issue.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the8
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state9
superintendent of education, the president of the Louisiana Association of School10
Superintendents, and the president of the Louisiana School Boards Association.11
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)]
Pylant HCR No. 156
Requests that the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), in collaboration
with the La. Assoc. of School Superintendents and the La. School Boards Assoc., study
potential funding sources for online or virtual courses offered through the Course Choice
Program and opportunities for increasing broadband access for students throughout the state
and submit a written report of findings and recommendations to the House and Senate
education committees at least 60 days before the 2014 R.S. Provides that the report shall
include but not be limited to the identification of local, state, federal, and other funding
sources for such courses, measures being taken by other states with respect to funding online
or virtual courses and opportunities for increasing broadband access for students, and any
recommendations for related legislation.