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 373 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Geymann
Abstract: Provides for the review, development, and implementation of state content standards for
public school students.
Present law requires the state Dept. of Education to develop, with the approval of the State Board
of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), statewide content standards for required subjects
for public elementary and secondary schools. Requires implementation of the standards by the
department as approved by BESE, with recommendations prior to approval and advice from the
educational personnel in the public schools and colleges and universities of this state.
Proposed law requires BESE to develop the standards instead of the department with BESE
approval. Further provides relative to the review, development, and implementation of state content
standards in English language arts and math as follows:
(1)Requires BESE to begin reviewing and developing state content standards in English
language arts and math by July 1, 2015.
(2)Requires BESE to hold at least one meeting for the standards' review and development in
each La. congressional district.
(3)Requires BESE to submit the minutes from each meeting to each member of the legislature
not later than 30 days after the meeting.
(4)Provides that all such meetings are subject to the Open Meetings Law.
(5)Requires BESE to post the standards on its website by Feb. 21, 2016, and to adopt the
standards by March 4, 2016.
(6)Requires BESE to promulgate the standards in accordance with the Administrative Procedure
Act prior to implementation.
(7)Requires the speaker of the House and the president of the Senate each to appoint one
member to serve as a liaison to attend the meetings held pursuant to proposed law and
requires each liaison to report on the status of the review and development of the standards.
(8)Provides that if the governor suspends or vetoes the rules promulgated by BESE for the
standards, the board shall undertake a review of the standards and make any necessary revisions and shall commence without delay the promulgation of rules for the revised
standards.
Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Provides that proposed law is effective if and when Senate Bill No. 43 of the 2015 R.S. (relative to
the Admin. Procedure Act) becomes effective.
(Amends R.S. 17:24.4(E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Require BESE to develop the state content standards instead of the department with
BESE approval.
2. Add provisions for the review, development, and implementation of state content
standards in English language arts and math by BESE including requirements for
meetings, rules, submission of minutes, and the posting and adoption of the standards.
Also add requirement that the speaker of the House and the president of the Senate each
to appoint a liaison to attend the meetings.
3. Add provisions relative to the suspension or veto of the standards by the governor.