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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
SENATE BILL NO. 98
BY SENATORS NEVERS AND THOMPSON
TOPS. Provides that a five-point scale shall be used when calculating the grade point
average for certain honors courses and talented courses. (gov sig)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1)(b)(ii)(bb), (c)(ii)(bb), and (d)(ii)(bb), relative2
to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students; to provide with respect to the3
method used to calculate the grade point average required for program awards; to4
provide that a five-point scale shall be used to calculate the grade point average for5
certain honors and gifted and talented courses; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1)(b)(ii)(bb), (c)(ii)(bb), and (d)(ii)(bb) are hereby8
amended and reenacted to read as follows: 9
ยง3048.1. Program awards; eligibility; amounts; limitations; funding; administration10
A.(1) As part of the Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, the11
state shall financially assist any student who enrolls on a full-time basis in a public12
college or university in this state or a regionally accredited independent college or13
university in the state that is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent14
Colleges or and Universities, hereafter in this Chapter referred to collectively as15
"eligible colleges or universities", to pursue an academic undergraduate degree or,16
as provided by this Subsection, skill or occupational training as defined by the Board17 SB NO. 98
SLS 14RS-252 REENGROSSED
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words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
of Regents, including a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma1
program or a nonacademic undergraduate degree, and who meets the qualifications2
of Subparagraph (b), (c), or (d) of this Paragraph and all of the applicable following3
qualifications:4
* * *5
(b)(ii) * * *6
(bb) Beginning with students graduating in the 2017-2018 school year and7
thereafter, the calculation of the minimum cumulative grade point average specified8
in Item (i) of this Subparagraph shall utilize a five-point scale for grades earned in9
certain Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, gifted and10
talented courses, honors courses, and dual enrollment courses as approved by the11
Board of Regents and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education,12
which may result in a student earning a cumulative grade point average that exceeds13
4.00. For such courses, five quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "A",14
four quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "B", three quality points shall15
be assigned to a letter grade of "C", two quality points shall be assigned to a letter16
grade of "D", and zero quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "F".17
* * *18
(c)(ii) * * *19
(bb) Beginning with students graduating in the 2017-2018 school year and20
thereafter, the calculation of the minimum cumulative grade point average specified21
in Item (i) of this Subparagraph shall utilize a five-point scale for grades earned in22
certain Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, gifted and23
talented courses, honors courses, and dual enrollment courses as approved by the24
Board of Regents and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education,25
which may result in a student earning a cumulative grade point average that exceeds26
4.00. For such courses, five quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "A",27
four quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "B", three quality points shall28
be assigned to a letter grade of "C", two quality points shall be assigned to a letter29 SB NO. 98
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grade of "D", and zero quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "F".1
* * *2
(d)(ii) * * *3
(bb) Beginning with students graduating in the 2017-2018 school year and4
thereafter, the calculation of the minimum cumulative grade point average specified5
in Item (i) of this Subparagraph shall utilize a five-point scale for grades earned in6
certain Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, gifted and7
talented courses, honors courses, and dual enrollment courses as approved by the8
Board of Regents and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education,9
which may result in a student earning a cumulative grade point average that exceeds10
4.00. For such courses, five quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "A",11
four quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "B", three quality points shall12
be assigned to a letter grade of "C", two quality points shall be assigned to a letter13
grade of "D", and zero quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "F".14
* * *15
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not16
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature17
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If18
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become19
effective on the day following such approval.20
The original instrument was prepared by Jeanne Johnston. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by Cathy R. Wells.
DIGEST
Nevers (SB 98)
Present law provides that the minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) required for
a student to be eligible for a Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Opportunity,
Performance, or Honors award shall be calculated using only the grades obtained by the
student in courses contained in the TOPS core curriculum as prescribed by present law.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that, beginning with students graduating in the 2017-18 school year,
TOPS GPA calculation shall utilize a five-point scale for grades earned in certain Advanced
Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), gifted courses, and dual enrollment SB NO. 98
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
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courses as approved by the Board of Regents and the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education (BESE). Further provides that for such courses, five quality points
shall be assigned to an "A", four quality points shall be assigned to a "B", three quality
points shall be assigned to a "C", two quality points shall be assigned to a "D", and zero
quality points shall be assigned to an "F".
Proposed law retains present law and additionally provides that the TOPS GPA calculation
shall also utilize a five-point scale for honors courses and talented courses.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1)(b)(ii)(bb), (c)(ii)(bb), and (d)(ii)(bb))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill
1. Provides that the GPA for talented courses shall also be computed on a five-
point scale for TOPS purposes.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Makes technical correction.