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)]
Geymann HB No. 381
Abstract: Creates the Student Standards Commission to develop state standards for required
subjects for public school students. Provides for implementation of the standards by the
State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) subject to legislative
approval of the standards. Repeals provisions relative to implementation of certain
standards-based assessments by BESE.
Present law provides for the La. Competency-Based Education Program, including the
development and 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 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. Provides for an alternate assessment to
be administered to students with disabilities who meet criteria developed by the state Dept. of
Education. Further requires the department to develop modified achievement standards and use
alternative assessments for certain students with persistent academic disabilities. Proposed law
retains present law except repeals present law requirement that the standards-based assessments
in English language arts and math be based on nationally recognized content standards.
Proposed law creates the Students Standards Commission in the Dept. of Education to develop
state standards for required subjects. Provides for commission membership, vacancies, meetings,
voting, and compensation. Provides that the commission shall be subject to the Public Records
Law and the Open Meetings Law. Provides that in developing the standards, the commission
shall also consider and may recommend the appropriate assessments to be used to effectively
measure student achievement.
Proposed law provides for implementation of the standards by BESE subject to legislative
approval of the standards. Requires the state board to submit the standards to the legislature and
provides that the legislature may return the standards and include any recommendations for
changes. Provides that if the legislature fails to finally approve the initial standards developed
and adopted by the commission, BESE shall implement the state standards used immediately
prior to BESE's adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Further provides that the legislature shall approve any subsequent changes to the standards before they can be
implemented.
Proposed law deletes requirement that the state Dept. of Education develop and implement the
statewide content standards for required subjects.
(Amends R.S. 17:24.4(A)(3) and (4), (E), (F)(3)(a) and (b)(ii), and (G)(2); Adds R.S.
36:651(G)(4); Repeals R.S. 17:24.4(F)(1)(d))