RDCSB205 331 3866
Page 1 of 2
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)]
LaFleur SB No. 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 (BESE) are available through programs administered by the Dept.
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 BESE.
(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)Provides that 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.
(Adds R.S. 17:273.3)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill RDCSB205 331 3866
Page 2 of 2
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.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
reengrossed bill.
1. Deletes proposed law repeal of the Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and
Evolution-Science Act.