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)]
Schroder HB No. 996
Abstract: Prohibits implementation of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College
and Careers (PARCC) assessments and provides for the continuation of La. Educational
Assessment Program tests.
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. 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 deletes present law requirement that the standards-based
assessments in English language arts and math be based on nationally recognized content
standards. Prohibits implementation of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College
and Careers (PARCC) and Smarter Balanced assessments and any other similar assessments.
Specifies that this prohibition shall not apply to a college entrance examination, a high school
equivalency examination, or an industry-based certification examination. Relative to the
administration of alternate assessments to a student with disabilities, proposed law provides that
such administration be upon the parent's or guardian's approval.
(Amends R.S. 17:24.4(F)(1)(a) and (d) and (3)(a) and (b)(ii))