DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 320 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Woodruff
Abstract: Exempts students in dropout recovery programs from certain requirements applicable to
minors who withdraw from school before high school graduation and removes certain
reporting requirements pertaining to dropout recovery programs.
Present law requires minors who withdraw from school prior to high school graduation, within 120
days of leaving, to either reenroll in school and make progress toward completing graduation
requirements, enroll in a high school equivalency diploma program and make progress toward
completing program requirements, or enlist in the La. National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces,
with a commitment for at least two years of service, and earn a high school equivalency diploma
during the service period. Proposed law exempts minors participating in a dropout recovery program
from this requirement.
Present law allows each school district and charter school that provides instruction to high school
students to offer a dropout recovery program. Proposed law adds that such districts and schools
should maximize the use of Title 1 and at-risk funds through the minimum foundation program
(MFP) to establish such programs.
Present law requires that a student enrolled in such a program be included in the student enrollment
count for the school or school district offering the program. Proposed law adds that such students
shall be recorded on a monthly basis as program participants.
Present law requires monthly reporting by schools and school systems to the state Dept. of Education
and specifies information to be included in the reports. Proposed law requires that such information
be recorded monthly rather than reported to DOE monthly.
Proposed law retains present law with respect to other provisions of the dropout recovery program
and clarifies certain terms.
(Amends R.S. 17:221.4(A) and (C)(intro. para.) and 221.6(A), (E)(intro. para.), and (I)(intro. para.);
Adds R.S. 17:221.6(I)(4))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Retain present law provision authorizing all schools and school districts providing instruction to high school students to offer dropout recovery programs and remove
proposed law provision that would have required the offering of such programs in
schools with low graduation rates.
2. Instead of requiring the funding of students in such programs as provided in the
minimum foundation program (MFP) formula, provide that school districts and charter
schools should maximize the use of Title 1 and at-risk funds through the MFP to
establish such programs.