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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE BILL NO. 558
BY SENATOR LAFLEUR
SCHOOLS. Provides relative to foreign language immersion programs in public schools.
(7/1/14)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact the introductory paragraph of R.S. 17:273.3(C)(2)(a) and to enact2
R.S. 17:273.3(E), (F), and (G), relative to foreign language immersion programs in3
public schools; to prohibit local school boards from denying enrollment in a foreign4
language immersion program to certain students; to provide with respect to5
requirements for the establishment, continuation, and certification of such programs;6
to provide restrictions; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related7
matters.8
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:9
Section 1. The introductory paragraph of R.S. 17:273.3(C)(2)(a) is hereby amended10
and reenacted and R.S. 17:273.3(E), (F), and (G) are hereby enacted to read as follows:11
ยง273.3. Foreign language immersion programs; creation by local school boards;12
parent petition13
* * *14
C.15
* * *16
(2)(a) Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a local school board, if17 SB NO. 558
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
requested in writing by the parent or legal guardian parents or legal guardians of1
at least twenty-five students seeking to be enrolled in kindergarten or of at least2
twenty-five students seeking to be enrolled in first grade who reside within the3
jurisdictional boundaries of the school district, shall establish a foreign language4
immersion program for such students, provided that all of the following apply:5
* * *6
E. A local public school board shall not deny enrollment in a foreign7
language immersion program to any student who resides within the8
jurisdictional boundaries of the school district and who applies for enrollment9
in such a program by no later than March first of the school year prior to such10
enrollment.11
F. The requirements of Subparagraph (C)(2)(b) and Subsection E of this12
Section shall apply to a foreign language immersion program established prior13
to the 2012-2013 school year. The local school board shall ensure that such14
program is designated as a Certified Foreign Language Immersion Program by15
the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with16
R.S. 17:273.2 by not later than July 1, 2017.17
G. Nothing in this Section shall contravene any order of a court of18
competent jurisdiction providing for the assignment of pupils within the school19
system.20
Section 2. This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2014; if vetoed by the governor21
and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on July 1,22
2014, or on the day following such approval by the legislature, whichever is later.23
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
LaFleur (SB 558)
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 SB NO. 558
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
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
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 present 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, 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
st
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 BESE 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)(intro para); adds R.S. 17:273.3(E), (F), and (G))