The original instrument was prepared by Jeanne Johnston. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by
Michelle Broussard-Johnson.
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.
(c)The MFP formula provides funding to local school systems employing foreign
language teachers to provide salary supplements for such teachers.
(d)A sufficient number of foreign language teachers, with the required credentials as
prescribed by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are
available through programs administered by the Department of Education and the
Council for the Development of French in Louisiana to establish the program.
(e)There is no existing foreign language immersion program offered by the local
school board that has been certified by the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education.
(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 and is established within three
years from the date of such program. (5)A local school board shall not be required to provide transportation to any student
enrolled in a foreign language immersion program established, that is located outside the
attendance zone of the school the student would otherwise attend, if providing such
transportation would result in additional transportation costs to the school system.
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.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Provides that a school board is not required to provide student transportation for
students in the foreign language immersion program.
2. Makes technical change.
3. Adds requirements for the establishment of a foreign language immersion
program.
4. Provides a time deadline to have the immersion program designated as a certified program.