HLS 14RS-1188 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 423
BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH
SCHOOLS: Provides for a temporary cessation of the letter grade component of the school
and district accountability system.
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:10.1(G) and to repeal R.S. 17:10.1(G), effective July 1, 2016, relative to2
the school and district accountability system; to provide for a temporary cessation3
of the letter grade system; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 17:10.1(G) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 6
ยง10.1. School and district accountability system; purpose; responsibilities of state7
board8
* * *9
G. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection F of this Section, neither10
the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education nor the Department of11
Education shall assign a letter grade to any school or district or in any other way12
implement the provisions of this Subsection from July 1, 2014, through July 1, 2016.13
Section 2. R.S. 17:10.1(G) as enacted by this Act is hereby repealed in its entirety.14
Section 3.(A) Section 1 and this Section of this Act shall become effective upon15
signature of this Act by the governor or, if not signed by the governor, upon expiration of16
the time for bills to become law without signature by the governor, as provided by Article17
III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If this Act is vetoed by the governor and18
subsequently approved by the legislature, Section 1 and this Section of this Act shall become19
effective on the day following such approval.20 HLS 14RS-1188 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 423
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
(B) Section 2 of this Act shall become effective on July 1, 2016.1
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)]
Smith HB No. 423
Abstract: Provides for a temporary cessation of the letter grade component of the school
and district accountability system.
Present law provides for the development and implementation of a school and district
accountability system which requires and supports student achievement in each public
school. Further states that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)
shall provide for a statewide system of accountability for schools and school districts based
on student achievement and minimum standards for the approval of schools.
Present law (R.S. 17:10.1(F)) provides that BESE, in consultation with parents, teachers,
school administrators, and other education stakeholders, shall develop a letter grade system
reflective of school and district performance that shall include the following:
(1) Assignment of a letter grade to each public elementary and secondary school and
school district that is based upon the current method of determining school and
district performance scores. Any school that has been labeled academically
unacceptable shall be assigned a grade of "F".
(2) Inclusion of a letter grade assigned to each public school and school district in the
school report cards compiled by the Dept. of Education and distributed to parents and
in any public release of school and district performance scores.
(3) Creation of an honor roll which recognizes high-performing schools with graduation
rates that exceed the state average, which shall also be made public when
information relative to school and district performance scores and letter grades are
released.
Proposed law provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of present law, neither BESE nor
the Dept. of Education shall assign a letter grade to any school or district or in any other way
implement the provisions of present law (R.S. 17:10.1(F)) from July 1, 2014, through July
1, 2016.
Effective in part upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action;
effective in part July 1, 2016.
(Adds R.S. 17:10.1(G); Repeals R.S. 17:10.1(G))