Erdey (SB 599) Act No. 587
Prior law required 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.
Prior law required the TOPS information reporting system to include 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.
New law retains prior law and adds the 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.
New law requires the Board of Regents to submit a written report including all of the
information required for the preceding academic year to the Senate and House committees
on education, not later than December first of each year.
New law specifies that all information reported shall be reported in the aggregate only and
shall contain no personally identifiable information for any recipient of a program award.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 9, 2014).
(Adds R.S. 17:3048.3(B)(7), (8) and (9), (D) and (E))