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)]
Henry Burns HB No. 163
Abstract: Prohibits administration of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College
and Careers (PARCC) assessments and any other similar assessments and provides for
continued administration of La. Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) tests based on
rigorous standards comparable to student achievement levels nationally.
Present law provides for the La. Competency-Based Education Program, including the
implementation of statewide standards for required subjects and the La. Educational Assessment
Program (LEAP). Requires standards-based assessments for required subjects (English language
arts, math, science, and social studies) to be implemented by the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education (BESE) and administered in at least grades 3 through 11. Provides that
such assessments be based on state content standards and rigorous student achievement standards
comparable to national student achievement levels. Further requires that the rigor of such
assessments shall at least compare to that of national achievement tests. Specifies that beginning
with the 2014-2015 school year, the standards-based assessments in English language arts and
math shall be based on nationally recognized content standards. Requires BESE to establish the
adequate test scores for determining successful student performance on the tests. Proposed law
retains present law provisions with regard to implementation of LEAP tests.
Proposed law deletes present law requirement that the standards-based assessments in English
language arts and math be based on nationally recognized content standards and prohibits
implementation of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers
(PARCC) and Smarter Balanced assessments and any other similar assessments.
Proposed law provides for implementation of the standards-based assessments by the department
instead of BESE and requires the department to periodically review and revise the rigor of such
assessments as necessary.
(Amends R.S. 17:24.4(F)(1)(a), (c), (d), and (e))