Nevers (SB 126) Act No. 737
New law provides that the TOPS fine arts survey may include one unit of drafting as a
substitute unit.
Prior law provided that a TOPS-Tech Early Start Award may be used at a Louisiana public
postsecondary education institution for the purpose of pursuing an industry-based
occupational or vocational education credential as defined by the Board of Regents when
such credential also meets all of the following conditions:
(1)Is identified by the Occupation Forecasting Conference as a credential for an
occupation in top demand in Louisiana.
(2)Is recognized by the State Industry-Based Certification Council.
(3)Is approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and
by the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges.
New law expands the use of the award so that it may be used to fund any technical or applied
course leading to an Industry Based Certification, a Certificate of Applied Sciences, and a
Certificate of Technical Sciences offered at a Louisiana public or nonpublic postsecondary
education institution or by any Louisiana training provider recognized by the la workforce
commission as approved by BESE when such certification or certificate is approved by the
Workforce Investment Council as meeting the following requirements:
(1)Is identified by the Occupation Forecasting Conference as a credential for an
occupation in top demand in Louisiana.
(2)Is recognized by the State Industry-Based Certification Leadership Council.
New law eliminates the requirement that credentials be approved by BESE and by the Board
of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges.
New law provides for payment of TOPS-Tech Early Start Awards to students enrolled in an
eligible program of study or a training program provider.
New law requires BESE to determine which training program provider it approves for each
academic year. Provides that for the 2014-2015 academic year, the number of training
program providers be limited to five selected by BESE in accordance with bese rules.
Prior law authorized the administering agency, in accordance with a plan approved by the
Board of Regents, to implement the prior law initially on a pilot basis. However, if
implemented on a pilot basis, it is the intention of the legislature that full implementation be
achieved at the earliest time possible. New law repeals prior law.
Prior law provided that in order to be eligible for an initial TOPS-Tech Early Start Award,
a student shall meet each of the following conditions and comply with other applicable
provisions of prior law and administering agency rules:
(1)Be in the eleventh or twelfth grade in a Louisiana public school.
(2)Have prepared a five-year education and career plan, including a sequence of related
courses with a career focus as provided by prior law.
(3)Have a cumulative high school grade point average on all courses attempted of not
less than 2.0 when calculated on a 4.0 scale.
(4)Have at least the minimum scores required to pass the mathematics and English
portions of the graduation exit exam established by BESE.
(5)Score at least 15 on the English subsection and 15 on the mathematics subsection of
the ACT PLAN assessment administered as part of Louisiana's Educational Planning
and Assessment System. New law eliminates the requirement that the student must have at least the minimum scores
required to pass the mathematics and English portions of the graduation exit exam
established by BESE.
New law includes students in a nonpublic postsecondary education institution or a training
program in the requirements to maintain TOPS eligibility
Prior law provided that prior to the convening of each regular legislative session, the Board
of Regents, in consultation with the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission
(LASFAC), shall provide to the governor, the House Committee on Education, and the
Senate Committee on Education a written review and analysis of TOPS-Tech Early Start
awards relative to award use by students and the benefits therefrom as well as the impact on
subsequent use by students of TOPS-Tech awards.
New law requires that LASFAC, rather than the Board of Regents, issue the report currently
required by prior law.
New law removes requirement that a student take chemistry or applied chemistry to receive
a TOPS-TECH Award and instead includes these courses in the list of science courses from
which students must choose two units to satisfy science requirements.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 19, 2014).
(Amends R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1)(e)(x) and (f)(vi) and (B)(2)(c)(intro para), (vi), and
(x)(aa)(aaa), 3048.5(B) and (D) through (G)); repeals R.S. 17:3048.1(B)(2)(c)(v))