The legislative instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
CONFERENCE COMMI TTEE REPORT DIGEST
Senate Bill No. 205 by Senator LaFleur
Keyword and summary of the bill as proposed by the Conference Committee
SCHOOLS. Provides for establishment of foreign language immersion programs in public school
districts. (8/1/13)
Report adopts House amendments to:
1. Delete proposed law repeal of the Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and
Evolution-Science Act.
2. Make technical corrections.
Report rejects House amendments which would have:
1. No House amendments are rejected.
Report amends the bill to:
1. Provide that a school system shall not be required to establish a foreign language
immersion program unless the level of MFP funds provided to school systems for
salary supplements for foreign language teachers is equal to or greater than the
funds provided for such purpose for FY 2011-12.
Digest of the bill as proposed by the Conference Committee
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 at a level equal
to or greater than the level of funding provided for this purpose through such
formula for the 2011-12 fiscal year.
(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)