The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
LaFleur (SB 205)
Proposed law creates the "Immersion School Choice Act" and provides as follows:
(1)Authorizes a local public school board to establish a foreign language immersion program
in any school under its jurisdiction that shall be open to the enrollment of any student
who resides within the jurisdictional boundaries of the school district.
(2)Provides that, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a local public school board, if
requested in writing signed by the parent or legal guardian of at least 25 students enrolled
in kindergarten who reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the school district, shall
establish a foreign language immersion program for such students, provided:
(a)The parent or legal guardian of each student commits, in writing, that the student
will participate in the program.
(b)The requisite number of signatures are submitted to the local school board not
later than March first prior to the school year in which the program is to be
established.
(3)Provides that such program shall be continued as long as at least 20 students remain
enrolled in the program.
(4)Requires the local school board to ensure that any foreign language immersion program
created pursuant to proposed law is designated as a Certified Foreign Language
Immersion Program in accordance with applicable law.
Present law provides for the Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science
Act which required public schools in the state to give balanced treatment to creation-science and
evolution-science in classroom instruction and instructional materials.
Proposed law repeals present law which was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
(Edwards v. Aguillard, La. 1987, 107 S. Ct. 2573, 96 L.Ed.2d 510.)
Effective August 1, 2013.
(Adds R.S. 17:273.3; repeals RS 17:286.1-286.7)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the original bill
1. Replaces parent petition process with written request by specified number of
parents.
2. Provides that the required number of written requests be submitted to the local
school board by March first of the year prior to the school year in which the
program will be established.
3. Requires the local school board to ensure that immersion programs established
pursuant to proposed law are designated as a Certified Foreign Language
Immersion Program by BESE.
4. Repeals the Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science Act.