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 HB No. 556
Abstract: Prohibits implementation of Common Core State Standards and provides for
implementation of prior standards.
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 except requires the
tests to be administered in grades 3 through 11.
Proposed law deletes present law requirement that the standards-based assessments in English
language arts and math be based on nationally recognized content standards. Provides for
implementation of the standards-based assessments by the department instead of BESE.
Proposed law prohibits implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and
provides for implementation of standards in place immediately prior to adoption of CCSS by
BESE.
Present law (R.S. 17:391.2-391.13), relative to public school accountability and assessment,
includes requirements for an educational accountability program, pupil proficiency levels, course
content evaluations, standardized test administration, and public school accreditation. Further
provides for school readiness assessments for students entering kindergarten and a talent search
program for junior high students. Proposed law repeals present law.
(Amends R.S. 17:24.4(A)(4), (E), and (F)(1)(a) and (c) and (3)(a) and (b)(ii); Repeals R.S.
17:24.4(F)(1)(d) and 391.2-391.13)