The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
Kostelka (SB 597)
Present law provides for the La. Competency-Based Education Program, including the
development and 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 BESE
and administered in at least grades three 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 repeals present law requirement that the standards-based assessments
in English language arts and math be based on nationally recognized content standards.
Proposed law creates the Students Standards Commission in the Dept. of Education to develop
state standards for required subjects. Provides for commission membership, vacancies, meetings,
voting, and compensation. Provides that the commission shall be subject to the Public Records
Law and the Open Meetings Law. Provides that in developing the standards, the commission
shall also consider and may recommend the appropriate assessments to be used to measure
student achievement effectively.
Proposed law provides for implementation of the standards by BESE subject to legislative
approval of the standards. Requires the state board to submit the standards to the legislature and
provides that the legislature may return the standards and include any recommendations for
changes. Provides that until the implementation of the initial standards developed by the
commission and approved by the legislature, BESE shall implement the state standards used
immediately prior to the adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and each public
school governing authority may utilize the curriculum it determines best meets content and
performance standards. Further provides that the legislature shall approve any subsequent
changes to the standards before the standards can be implemented.
Proposed law deletes requirement that the state Dept. of Education develop and implement the
statewide content standards for required subjects.
Effective August 1, 2014. (Amends R.S. 17:24.4(A)(3) and (4), (E), (F)(3)(a) and (b)(ii), and (G)(2); adds R.S.
36:651(G)(4); repeals R.S. 17:24.4(F)(1)(d))