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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 98
BY SENATORS NEVERS AND THOMPSON AND REPRESENTATIVES BADON,
BROADWATER, HENRY BURNS, CARMODY, LEBAS, LORUSSO,
MILLER, MORENO, RITCHIE, ROBIDEAUX, SEABAUGH, SMITH,
ST. GERMAIN, STOKES AND WOODRUFF
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact the introductory paragraph of R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1) and (b)(ii)(bb),2
(c)(ii)(bb), and (d)(ii)(bb), the introductory paragraph of (B)(2)(c) and (C)(2)(e),3
relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students; to provide with respect to4
the method used to calculate the grade point average required for program awards;5
to provide that a five-point scale shall be used to calculate the grade point average6
for certain honors, articulated, and gifted and talented courses; to provide that the7
administering agency of the program shall define skill or occupational training for8
which an eligible student may use a program award; to specify certain courses9
among those for which the administering agency of the program may update names10
and establish equivalencies; and to provide for related matters.11
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:12
Section 1. The introductory paragraph of R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1) and (b)(ii)(bb),13
(c)(ii)(bb), and (d)(ii)(bb), the introductory paragraph of (B)(2)(c) and (C)(2)(e) are hereby14
amended and reenacted to read as follows: 15
ยง3048.1. Program awards; eligibility; amounts; limitations; funding; administration16
A.(1) As part of the Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, the17
state shall financially assist any student who enrolls on a full-time basis in a public18
college or university in this state or a regionally accredited independent college or19
university in the state that is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent20
Colleges or and Universities, hereafter in this Chapter referred to collectively as21
"eligible colleges or universities", to pursue an academic undergraduate degree or,22
as provided by this Subsection, skill or occupational training as defined by the Board23
of Regents, administering agency including a vocational or technical education24
certificate or diploma program or a nonacademic undergraduate degree, and who25
ACT No. 733 SB NO. 98 ENROLLED
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meets the qualifications of Subparagraph (b), (c), or (d) of this Paragraph and all of1
the applicable following qualifications:2
* * *3
(b) * * *4
(ii) * * *5
(bb) Beginning with students graduating in the 2017-2018 school year and6
thereafter, the calculation of the minimum cumulative grade point average specified7
in Item (i) of this Subparagraph shall utilize a five-point scale for grades earned in8
certain Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, gifted and9
talented courses, honors courses, articulated courses for college credit, and dual10
enrollment courses as approved by the Board of Regents and the State Board of11
Elementary and Secondary Education, which may result in a student earning a12
cumulative grade point average that exceeds 4.00. For such courses, five quality13
points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "A", four quality points shall be assigned14
to a letter grade of "B", three quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "C",15
two quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "D", and zero quality points16
shall be assigned to a letter grade of "F".17
(c) * * *18
(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, articulated courses for college credit, and dual24
enrollment courses as approved by the Board of Regents and the State Board of25
Elementary and Secondary Education, which may result in a student earning a26
cumulative grade point average that exceeds 4.00. For such courses, five quality27
points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "A", four quality points shall be assigned28
to a letter grade of "B", three quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "C",29
two quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "D", and zero quality points30 SB NO. 98 ENROLLED
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shall be assigned to a letter grade of "F".1
* * *2
(d) * * *3
(ii) * * *4
(bb) Beginning with students graduating in the 2017-2018 school year and5
thereafter, the calculation of the minimum cumulative grade point average specified6
in Item (i) of this Subparagraph shall utilize a five-point scale for grades earned in7
certain Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, gifted and8
talented courses, honors courses, articulated courses for college credit, and dual9
enrollment courses as approved by the Board of Regents and the State Board of10
Elementary and Secondary Education, which may result in a student earning a11
cumulative grade point average that exceeds 4.00. For such courses, five quality12
points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "A", four quality points shall be assigned13
to a letter grade of "B", three quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "C",14
two quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "D", and zero quality points15
shall be assigned to a letter grade of "F".16
* * *17
B.18
* * *19
(2) As part of the Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for20
Students, for students graduating from high school through the 1999-200021
school year the state shall award an amount determined by the administering22
agency to equal the actual cost of tuition of any student who enrolls on a full-23
time basis in a Louisiana public postsecondary institution to pursue skill or24
occupational training, including a vocational or technical education25
certificate or diploma program or a nonacademic undergraduate degree, and26
who meets the following qualifications and all other applicable qualifications27
of this Chapter and for students graduating from high school during the 2000-28
2001 school year and thereafter the state shall award an amount determined29
by the administering agency in accordance with the provisions of30 SB NO. 98 ENROLLED
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Subparagraph (f) of this Paragraph for any student who enrolls on a full-time1
basis in an eligible college or university as defined in Subsection A of this2
Section to pursue skill or occupational training as defined by the Board of3
Regents, including a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma4
program or a nonacademic undergraduate degree, and who meets the5
following qualifications and all other applicable qualifications of this6
Chapter:7
* * *8
(c) Except as otherwise provided by this Section, has successfully9
completed a core curriculum, and meets standards for admission to the10
desired eligible college or university. The core curriculum specified in11
Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph shall be effective only for high school12
graduates through the 2001-2002 school year; thereafter, a student shall meet13
the core curriculum requirements as specified in this Subparagraph. Except14
as otherwise provided by this Section, a student may qualify for a TOPS-15
Tech Award by meeting the core curriculum requirements of Subparagraph16
(A)(1)(e) or (f) of this Section or the core curriculum defined as follows:17
* * *18
C.19
* * *20
(2) Except as otherwise provided by this Paragraph, the21
administering agency by rule shall provide for:22
* * *23
(e) Guidelines and procedures by which the administering agency,24
subject to prior approval by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary25
Education, may update the course name and establish course equivalencies26
for any course included in the definition of core curriculum provided by this27
Section, including necessary changes to course names and equivalencies28
for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses as29
prescribed by the College Board or the International Baccalaureate30 SB NO. 98 ENROLLED
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Foundation. The guidelines and procedures shall include but not be limited1
to a requirement that any change in a course name and the establishment of2
any course equivalency be done by rule adopted by the administering agency3
and a requirement that prior to issuing a notice of intent to consider any such4
rule the administering agency shall consult with and seek the written5
comments and recommendations of the Board of Regents on making the6
name change or establishing the course equivalency.7
* * *8
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not9
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature10
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If11
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become12
effective on the day following such approval.13
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: