RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 329 (HB 373) 2015 Regular Session Geymann
Existing law provides for the development of statewide content standards for required
subjects (English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies) for public
elementary and secondary schools. Requires implementation of the standards by the state
Dept. of Education as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
(BESE), with recommendations prior to approval and advice from the educational personnel
in La. public schools and colleges and universities.
Prior law required the state Dept. of Education to develop the state content standards, with
the approval of BESE.
New law requires BESE to develop the standards instead of the department. New law 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 Admin.
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 new law and
requires each liaison to report on the status of the review and development of the
standards and the specific time lines and actions taken by BESE in commencing the
process for the promulgation of rules for the revised standards if the governor
suspends or vetoes the rules.
(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.
Effective August 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 17:24.4(E))