HLS 14RS-348 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 7
BY REPRESENTATIVE HENSGENS
STUDENT/STANDARDS: Requests the state Dept. of Education and the State Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education to develop and adopt academic standards that
are rigorous and effective for all La. students
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the state Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary2
and Secondary Education to develop and adopt academic standards for public school3
students that are rigorous and effective for all students.4
WHEREAS, academic standards are statements of what students are expected to5
know and be able to do at specific grade levels; and6
WHEREAS, the establishment of academic standards is the duty and responsibility7
of the state Department of Education with the approval of the State Board of Elementary and8
Secondary Education; and9
WHEREAS, R.S. 17:24.4(E) provides that the state Department of Education, with10
the approval of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, as part of the11
Louisiana Competency-Based Education Program, shall develop and establish statewide12
content standards for required subjects to be taught in the public elementary and secondary13
schools of this state; and14
WHEREAS, the law further states that the statewide content standards for required15
subjects shall be implemented by the state Department of Education, as approved by the16
State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, with recommendations prior to17
approval and advice from the educational personnel in the public schools and colleges and18
universities of this state; and19 HLS 14RS-348 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 7
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WHEREAS, state law defines such standards as "statements that define what a1
student should know or be able to accomplish at the end of a specific time period or grade2
level or at the completion of a course. Content standards shall represent the knowledge and3
skills needed for students to successfully transition to postsecondary education and the4
workplace, as determined by content experts, elementary and secondary educators and5
school leaders, postsecondary education leaders, and business and industry leaders."; and6
WHEREAS, state law further provides that it shall be the duty and power of the State7
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide for and implement rigorous8
standards-based assessments for required subjects; and9
WHEREAS, state law additionally and appropriately requires the state board to10
establish adequate test scores for determining successful student performance on such11
standards-based assessments; and12
WHEREAS, it is the intention of the members of the legislature that these duties and13
responsibilities remain at the state level and are not delegated or relinquished to any national14
group or consortium or to the federal government; and15
WHEREAS, over the past two decades, the department and the board have adopted16
and implemented academic standards in various subject areas; and17
WHEREAS, less than ten years ago, several states began collaborating on the18
development of common state standards in mathematics and English language arts; and19
WHEREAS, in 2009, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief20
State School Officers adopted the Common Core State Standards Initiative; and21
WHEREAS, in July of 2010, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary22
Education adopted the Common Core State Standards for Louisiana to replace the state23
standards previously adopted and implemented by the board; and24
WHEREAS, the members of the Legislature of Louisiana are aware of the numerous25
concerns that have been raised by Louisiana citizens and various groups and organizations26
within Louisiana regarding the adoption of the Common Core State Standards.27
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby28
urge and request the state Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and29 HLS 14RS-348 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 7
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Secondary Education to adopt and develop academic standards for public school students1
that are rigorous and effective for all Louisiana students.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state Department of Education and the State3
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are hereby urged to:4
(1) Ensure that academic standards adopted in the future meet or exceed the rigor5
and effectiveness of Louisiana's current academic standards.6
(2) Ensure that Louisiana's academic standards are adapted to the specific needs of7
Louisiana.8
(3) Ensure that public schools continue to maintain absolute flexibility in the9
curriculum that they provide under Louisiana's proud tradition of local control.10
(4) Consult with Louisiana parents, students, teachers, school administrators, school11
board members, representatives of institutions of postsecondary education, and business and12
community leaders before adopting any new academic standards.13
(5) Not establish required reading lists or adopt or attempt to impose a statewide14
curriculum.15
(6) Reject any attempt to subject Louisiana students to a national standardized16
assessment mandated by the federal government.17
(7) Ensure that Louisiana's academic standards are not burdensome and costly to18
public schools.19
(8) Ensure that Louisiana's academic standards do not result in intrusion into student20
and family privacy or in the collection or reporting of additional data to the federal21
government.22
(9) Commit to close consultation with the House Committee on Education and the23
Senate Committee on Education on any action taken in the development and implementation24
of new academic standards.25
(10) Amend any rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines necessary to effectuate26
the sentiment of the Legislature of Louisiana as expressed in this Resolution.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the28
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and to the state29
superintendent of education.30 HLS 14RS-348 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 7
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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)]
Hensgens HCR No. 7
Requests the state Dept. of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education to develop and adopt academic standards for public school students that are
rigorous and effective for all students.