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words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 205
BY SENATORS LAFLEUR AND GUILLORY AND REPRESENTATIVES
MONTOUCET AND ORTEGO
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:273.3, relative to curriculum and instruction; to provide relative to foreign2
language immersion programs; to authorize local public school boards to establish3
foreign language immersion programs; to provide for a process whereby parents may4
request a local public school board to establish a foreign language immersion5
program; to provide for certification of such programs; to provide with respect to6
foreign language teachers; to provide with respect to student transportation; and to7
provide for related matters.8
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:9
Section 1. R.S. 17:273.3 is hereby enacted to read as follows:10
ยง273.3. Foreign language immersion programs; creation by local school11
boards; parent petition12
A. This Section shall be known and may be cited as the "Immersion13
School Choice Law".14
B. The legislature finds that:15
(1) Research indicates that students who participate in foreign language16
immersion programs, particularly French, demonstrate greater levels of17
proficiency in the English language, higher overall academic achievement, and18
higher levels of self-esteem.19
(2) Learning a second language has a positive effect on intellectual20
growth and increased awareness of diverse cultures through access to history,21
art, and literature.22
(3) Students in foreign language immersion programs have been shown23
to demonstrate enhanced cognitive functions in solving complex problems and24
ACT No. 361 SB NO. 205 ENROLLED
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mathematical computations through the development of more divergent and1
higher order thinking skills.2
(4) In Louisiana, French language development and French language3
immersion programs, in particular, provide a better understanding of the4
state's social traditions and serve to promote, preserve, and develop our unique5
bilingual culture.6
C.(1) Any local public school board may establish a foreign language7
immersion program in any school under its jurisdiction that shall be open to the8
enrollment of any student who resides within the jurisdictional boundaries of9
the school district.10
(2)(a) Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a local school board,11
if requested in writing by the parent or legal guardian of at least twenty-five12
students enrolled in kindergarten who reside within the jurisdictional13
boundaries of the school district, shall establish a foreign language immersion14
program for such students, provided that all of the following apply:15
(i) The parent or legal guardian of each student commits, in writing, that16
the student will participate in the program.17
(ii) The requisite number of written requests are submitted to the local18
school board not later than March first prior to the school year in which the19
program is to be established.20
(iii) The minimum foundation program formula provides funding to21
local school systems employing foreign language teachers to provide salary22
supplements for such teachers at a level equal to or greater than the level of23
funding provided for this purpose through such formula for the 2011-12 fiscal24
year.25
(iv) A sufficient number of foreign language teachers with the required26
credentials as prescribed by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary27
Education are available through programs administered by the Department of28
Education and the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana to29
establish the program.30 SB NO. 205 ENROLLED
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(v) There is no existing foreign language immersion program offered by1
the local school board that has been certified by the State Board of Elementary2
and Secondary Education pursuant to R.S. 17:273.2.3
(b) Such program shall be continued as long as at least twenty students4
remain enrolled in the program.5
(c) The local school board shall ensure that any foreign language6
immersion program established pursuant to this Section is designated as a7
Certified Foreign Language Immersion Program by the State Board of8
Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with R.S. 17:273.2 within9
three years from the date such program is established.10
D. Notwithstanding any provision of R.S. 17:158 to the contrary, a local11
school board shall not be required to provide transportation to any student12
enrolled in a foreign language immersion program established pursuant to this13
Section that is located outside of the attendance zone of the school the student14
would otherwise attend, if providing such transportation would result in15
additional transportation costs to the school system.16
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: