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)]
Schroder HB No. 1007
Abstract: Provides for parental access to instructional materials (including surveys and tests) in
public schools, requires information about such access to be included in parent
orientation sessions, and removes requirements for parents to attend orientation sessions.
Proposed law provides that a parent of a child attending a public elementary or secondary school
is entitled to:
(1)Review instructional materials used or administered in the classroom of the parent's child.
(2)Review each test or assessment administered to the parent's child after the test or
assessment is administered.
Proposed law requires each local school board to adopt rules and policies for each school to
make instructional materials available for review as provided in proposed law. Provides that the
rules may specify reasonable hours for review and specifies that they require the school to
provide copies to a parent upon request and establish reasonable fees therefor. Requires that
such rules provide that copies may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge to a parent
who is indigent. Requires the school principal to ensure that the school complies with such rules.
Proposed law includes these definitions:
(1)"Assessment" -- an assessment or test administered pursuant present law relative to the
La. Competency-Based Education Program, including the La. Educational Assessment
Program.
(2)"Instructional materials" means content that conveys the knowledge or skills of a subject
in the school curriculum through a medium or a combination of media for conveying
information to a student. It also includes any test, assessment, or survey administered to a
student. The term also includes a book, supplementary materials, teaching aids, computer
software, magnetic media, DVD, CD-ROM, computer courseware, on-line material,
information, or services, or an electronic medium or other means of conveying
information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process.
(3)"Parent" means the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a child.
Present law requires local school boards to conduct a parent orientation course that includes (in part) a parent orientation meeting at which the school board or its representative must provide
each parent or guardian a copy of and explain specified school board policies.
Proposed law includes parental access to instructional materials in accordance with proposed law
in school board policies to be included in the parent orientation meeting.
Present law requires that a child entering public school within the state for the first time present
evidence that at least one of his parents or guardians has completed the required parent
orientation course. Provides that completion of one orientation course suffices for the enrollment
of all children of a parent or guardian. Provides that no child shall be denied school entry by
reason of a parent's noncompliance.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law requires local school boards to notify parents whose children may enter school of the
attendance requirements.
Proposed law instead requires that local school boards notify parents of the availability and
schedule of orientation meetings.
Proposed law requires that, prior to January 1, 2015, BESE and each local school board adopt
rules and policies required by proposed law relative to access to instructional materials and tests
and otherwise provide for implementation of such proposed law on January 1, 2015.
Effective January 1, 2015, except provisions for rulemaking and implementation by local school
boards and BESE and provisions abolishing requirements for parents to attend orientation
meetings are effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:235.1(B)(intro. para.) and (4)(e) and (D); Adds R.S. 17:235.1(B)(4)(f) and 355;
Repeals R.S. 235.1(A), (C), and (F))