HLS 14RS-5285 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 207
BY REPRESENTATIVE CHAMPAGNE
CULTURE/FRENCH: Requests the Council for the Development of French in La. to
explore French immersion program options for children of military personnel
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana to study and2
explore French immersion program options for children of military personnel in3
Louisiana.4
WHEREAS, the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL)5
was created by the legislature in 1968 to promote, support, and enhance French language6
immersion educational programs and instruction at all levels of elementary and secondary7
education in the state; and8
WHEREAS, the law further requires the council to develop a model French9
immersion program which can be used by any school seeking to establish a French10
immersion program within its curriculum and to increase the number of French immersion11
schools in the state; and12
WHEREAS, as stated in current law, R.S. 17:273.3, the legislature has found that:13
(1)Research indicates that students who participate in foreign language14
immersion programs, particularly French, demonstrate greater levels of proficiency in the15
English language, higher overall academic achievement, and higher levels of self-esteem.16
(2)Learning a second language has a positive effect on intellectual growth and17
increased awareness of diverse cultures through access to history, art, and literature.18
(3)Students in foreign language immersion programs have been shown to19
demonstrate enhanced cognitive functions in solving complex problems and mathematical20
computations through the development of more divergent and higher order thinking skills.21 HLS 14RS-5285 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 207
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(4)In Louisiana, French language development and French language immersion1
programs, in particular, provide a better understanding of the state's social traditions and2
serve to promote, preserve, and develop our unique bilingual culture; and3
WHEREAS, CODOFIL has been contacted by many United States military bases in4
Louisiana which have expressed their interest in having the council explore the concept of5
having French immersion programs or schools available for the children of the servicemen6
and women stationed therein.7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby8
urge and request the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana to study and9
explore French immersion program options for children of military personnel in Louisiana.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CODOFIL is hereby urged and requested to11
study and explore such options in an efficient and expeditious manner, to the extent possible,12
in order to address the concerns of the military bases on this important educational initiative.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in fulfillment of this Resolution, CODOFIL is14
hereby urged and requested to collaborate with local public school systems in which the15
military bases are located.16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the17
president of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana.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)]
Champagne HCR No. 207
Requests the Council for the Development of French in La. to study and explore French
immersion program options for children of military personnel in La.