The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
Erdey (SB 599)
Present law requires the Board of Regents to formulate, develop, establish, and implement a
uniform Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) information reporting system for the
purposes of policy analysis and program evaluation and for providing accurate data and statistics
to the legislature, the governor and appropriate executive branch agencies, and the public relative
to the program's impact on the state and on students.
Present law requires the TOPS information reporting system include but not be limited to the
following:
(1)A report prepared as of the end of the Fall semester and Spring semester during each
academic year relative to the rate of retention of program awards by students. The data
shall be reported by institution attended and by program award category, and shall include
the percent of students losing program eligibility due to not earning the minimum number
of credit hours, the percent of students losing program eligibility due to not having the
required cumulative grade point average, and the percent of students losing program
eligibility for failing to make steady academic progress.
(2)The persistence rates of freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior students receiving a
TOPS award reported by award category and by award year.
(3)The graduation rates reported by award category and award year, including for those
graduating with an academic degree at the baccalaureate level the rate for persons
graduating within four years, within five years, and within six years, respectively.
(4)The mean length of time required for a student receiving a program award to graduate
with an academic degree at the baccalaureate level or to complete the chosen
postsecondary education program if otherwise applicable with such information being
reported by award category and by award year.
(5)An annual report on the number of applicants as well as the percent of high school
graduates by high school and by parish who apply for a program award, by award
category, and the percent of those students who subsequently enroll in a college or
university.
(6)Statistical studies on the relationship between the courses taken and grades earned by a
high school student and the student's score on the American College Test (ACT) or the
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Relative to public high schools, such statistical studies
shall use student course and grade data that is otherwise available from the schools and such studies shall be conducted at no additional cost to the governing authority of any
public high school.
Proposed law retains present law and adds to following reporting requirements:
(1)Demographic information of program award recipients, including but not limited to race,
gender, and parents' household income.
(2)High school grade point average and ACT or SAT scores of program award recipients
grouped by mean, median, and mode.
(3)High school grade point average and ACT or SAT score cross-referenced with those
students who lost the award and those who were placed on probationary status, and the
reasons therefor.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:3048.3(B)(7), (8) and (9))