HLS 14RS-1183 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 559
BY REPRESENTATIVE IVEY
STUDENT/STANDARDS: Provides for implementation of Louisiana-based standards and
prohibits certain standards-based assessments
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:24.4(A)(4), (E), and (F)(1)(d), relative to education standards2
and assessments; to provide with respect to statewide content standards; to prohibit3
the implementation of Common Core State Standards; to prohibit the administration4
of certain standards-based assessments; to remove the requirement that standards-5
based assessments for certain subjects be based on nationally recognized content6
standards; and to provide for related matters.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. R.S. 17:24.4(A)(4), (E), and (F)(1)(d) are hereby amended and reenacted9
to read as follows: 10
ยง24.4. Louisiana Competency-Based Education Program; statewide standards for11
required subjects; Louisiana Educational Assessment Program; parish or city12
school board comprehensive pupil progression plans; waivers13
A. As used in this Section, the following words, terms, and phrases shall14
have the meaning ascribed to them in this Subsection, except when the context15
clearly indicates a different meaning:16
* * *17
(4) "The statewide content standards for required subjects" are statements18
that define what a student should know or be able to accomplish at the end of a19
specific time period or grade level or at the completion of a course. Content20 HLS 14RS-1183 ORIGINAL
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standards shall represent the knowledge and skills needed for students to successfully1
transition to postsecondary education and the workplace, as determined by state and2
local content experts, elementary and secondary educators and school leaders, and3
postsecondary education leaders who reside in Louisiana, and business, and industry,4
and community leaders whose principle place of business is domiciled in Louisiana.5
* * *6
E.(1) The state Department of Education shall, with the approval of the State7
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, as part of the Louisiana8
Competency-Based Education Program, shall develop and establish statewide9
content standards for required subjects to be taught in the public elementary and10
secondary schools of this state. The statewide content standards for required subjects11
shall be implemented by the state Department of Education as approved by the State12
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, with recommendations prior to13
approval and advice from the educational personnel in the state's public schools, and14
colleges and universities of this state, and community leaders applying principles,15
values, and standards of the communities of this state.16
(2) Neither the state Department of Education nor the State Board of17
Elementary and Secondary Education shall implement the Common Core State18
Standards for any subject. The department shall implement the state standards used19
immediately prior to the adoption of the Common Core State Standards by the State20
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and shall make improvements to the21
standards as may be necessary to ensure rigorous standards.22
F.(1)23
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(d) Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, standards-based assessments25
implemented by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in English26
language arts and mathematics shall be based on nationally recognized content27
standards that represent the knowledge and skills needed for students to successfully28
transition to postsecondary education and the workplace. Rigorous student29 HLS 14RS-1183 ORIGINAL
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achievement standards shall be set with reference to test scores of the same grade1
levels nationally. The state Department of Education or the State Board of2
Elementary and Secondary Education shall not implement or administer any3
standards-based assessment proposed or developed by the Partnership for4
Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, the Smarter Balanced Assessment5
Consortium, or any other equivalent national group or consortium.6
* * *7
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)]
Ivey HB No. 559
Abstract: Prohibits implementation of Common Core State Standards, provides for
implementation of prior standards, provides with respect to development of
standards, and prohibits certain standards-based assessments.
Present law defines "statewide content standards for required subjects" and includes content
experts, educators, and business leaders in determining knowledge and skills necessary for
students to successfully transition to postsecondary education and the workplace. Proposed
law requires that such experts, educators, and business leaders reside in or do business in La.
and adds community leaders to this group.
Present law requires the state Dept. of Education, with the approval of BESE, to develop
statewide content standards with recommendation from educational personnel. Proposed
law retains present law and adds community leaders to those making recommendation,
specifies that these individuals be La.-based, and further requires that their recommendations
be made applying principles, values, and standards of the state's communities.
Proposed law specifically prohibits the state Dept. of Education and BESE from
implementing Common Core State Standards for any subject and requires the department
to revert to prior standards and make improvements on such standards as may be necessary
to ensure rigorous standards.
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.
(Amends R.S. 17:24.4(A)(4), (E), and (F)(1)(d))