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 542 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Schroder
Abstract: Requires the state Dept. of Education to contract with a vendor (other than the PARCC
consortium) for English language arts and math assessments for the 2015-2016 school year.
Present law provides for the La. Competency-Based Education Program, including the
implementation of statewide standards for required subjects and the La. Educational Assessment
Program (LEAP). Requires standards-based assessments for required subjects (English language
arts, math, science, and social studies) to be implemented by the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education (BESE) and administered in at least grades 3 through 11. Provides that such
assessments be based on state content standards and rigorous student achievement standards
comparable to national student achievement levels. Further requires that the rigor of such
assessments shall at least compare to that of national achievement tests. Requires BESE to establish
adequate test scores for determining successful student performance on the tests. Specifies that
beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, the standards-based assessments in English language arts
and math shall be based on nationally recognized content standards.
Proposed law prohibits the state Dept. of Education from contracting with the Partnership for
Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) consortium for assessments
administered pursuant to present law during the 2015-2016 school year. Requires the department
to contract with another vendor, in accordance with the La. Procurement Code, for assessments for
grades three through 10 in English language arts and math for the 2015-2016 school year. Limits
assessment questions, to not more than 49.9% that can be based on the blueprint developed through
the PARCC process or processes conducted by a federally funded consortium of states. Otherwise
retains present law.
Provides that proposed law is effective if and when House Bill No. 373 and Senate Bill No. 43 of
the 2015 R.S. become effective.
(Amends R.S. 17:24.4(F)(1)(a); Adds R.S. 17:24.4(F)(2))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Prohibit the state Dept. of Education from contracting with the PARCC consortium for
assessments for the 2015-2016 school year and require the department to contract with
another vendor, in accordance with the La. Procurement Code, for assessments for grades three through 10 in English language arts and math for the 2015-2016 school year.
2. Limit the number of assessment questions that can be based on the blueprint developed
through the PARCC process or processes conducted by a federally funded consortium
of states.
3. Delete proposed law prohibition on implementation of PARCC and Smarter Balanced
and other similar assessments. Retain present law requiring that assessments be based
on nationally recognized content standards and requiring that student achievement
standards be based on national test scores.
4. Delete proposed law requirement for a parent's or guardian's approval of administration
of an alternate assessment to a student with disabilities.
5. Make proposed law effective if and when House Bill No. 373 and Senate Bill No. 43 of
the 2015 R.S. become effective.