HLS 14RS-1178 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 763
BY REPRESENTATIVE ORTEGO
SCHOOLS: Provides relative to foreign language immersion programs in public schools
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:273.3(C)(2)(a) and to enact R.S. 17:273.3(E), (F), and (G),2
relative to foreign language immersion programs in public schools; to prohibit local3
school boards from denying enrollment in a foreign language immersion program to4
certain students; to provide with respect to requirements for the establishment,5
continuation, and certification of such programs; to provide restrictions; to provide6
for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. R.S. 17:273.3(C)(2)(a) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.9
17:273.3(E), (F), and (G) are hereby enacted to read as follows: 10
ยง273.3. Foreign language immersion programs; creation by local school boards;11
parent petition12
* * *13
C.14
* * *15
(2)(a) Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a local school board, if16
requested in writing by the parent or legal guardian parents or legal guardians of at17
least twenty-five students seeking to be enrolled in kindergarten or of at least twenty-18
five students seeking to be enrolled in first grade who reside within the jurisdictional19 HLS 14RS-1178 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 763
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boundaries of the school district, shall establish a foreign language immersion1
program for such students, provided that all of the following apply:2
* * *3
E. A local public school board shall not deny enrollment in a foreign4
language immersion program to any student who resides within the jurisdictional5
boundaries of the school district and who applies for enrollment in such a program6
by no later than March first of the school year prior to such enrollment.7
F. The requirements of Subparagraph (C)(2)(b) and Subsection E of this8
Section shall apply to a foreign language immersion program established prior to the9
2012-2013 school year. The local school board shall ensure that such program is10
designated as a Certified Foreign Language Immersion Program by the State Board11
of Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with R.S. 17:273.2 by not12
later than July 1, 2017.13
G. Nothing in this Section shall contravene any order of a court of competent14
jurisdiction providing for the assignment of pupils within the school system.15
Section 2. This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2014; if vetoed by the governor16
and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on July 1,17
2014, or on the day following such approval by the legislature, whichever is later.18
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)]
Ortego HB No. 763
Abstract: Provides relative to the enrollment of students in foreign language immersion
programs in public schools.
Present law provides for the "Immersion School Choice Law" as follows:
(1)Authorizes a local public school board to establish a foreign language immersion
program in any school under its jurisdiction. The program shall be open to the
enrollment of any student who resides within the jurisdictional boundaries of the
school district.
(2)Provides that, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a local public school board,
if requested in writing signed by the parent or legal guardian of at least 25 students
enrolled in kindergarten who reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the school HLS 14RS-1178 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 763
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district, shall establish a foreign language immersion program for such students if
specified other criteria are met.
(3)Provides that such program shall be continued as long as at least 20 students remain
enrolled in the program.
(4)Requires the local school board to ensure that any foreign language immersion
program created pursuant to proposed law is designated as a Certified Foreign
Language Immersion Program in accordance with present law.
(5)Provides that a local school board shall not be required to provide transportation to
any student enrolled in a foreign language immersion program established that is
located outside the attendance zone of the school the student would otherwise attend
if providing such transportation would result in additional transportation costs to the
school system.
Proposed law adds provisions that require, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a local
public school board, board, if requested in writing signed by the parents or legal guardians
of at least 25 students to be enrolled in kindergarten or first grade, to establish a foreign
language immersion program for such students if specified other criteria are met. Otherwise
retains present law.
Proposed law prohibits local school boards from denying enrollment in a foreign language
immersion program to any student who resides within the jurisdictional boundaries of the
school district and who applies to enroll in such a program by no later than March 1 of the
school year prior to such enrollment.
Proposed law provides that, for a foreign language immersion program established prior to
the 2012-2013 school year, the requirements of present law that require enrollment of 20
students for continuation of the program and that require enrollment of timely applicants
shall apply. Further provides that the local school board shall ensure that such program is
designated as a Certified Foreign Language Immersion Program by the State Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with present law (R.S. 17:273.2) by not
later than July 1, 2017.
Proposed law provides that nothing in present law and proposed law shall contravene any
order of a court of competent jurisdiction providing for the assignment of pupils within the
school system.
Effective July 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 17:273.3(C)(2)(a); Adds R.S. 17:273.3(E), (F), and (G))