RESUMEHB542 331 4846
RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 342 (HB 542) 2015 Regular Session Schroder
Existing 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, mathematics, science, and social studies) to be implemented by the
State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and administered in at least
grades 3-11. 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. Requires that the standards-based assessments
in English language arts and math shall be based on nationally recognized content standards.
New law additionally provides with respect to assessments to be administered during the
2015-2016 school year as follows:
(1)Requires the state Dept. of Education to enter into a one-year contract, in accordance
with the La. Procurement Code, for assessments to be used in grades 3-8 in English
language arts and math.
(2)Provides that not more than 49.9% of the questions included in the selected
assessments shall be based on a blueprint or intellectual property developed by the
Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers consortium, or any
other federally funded consortium of states.
(3)Provides that no question included in the selected assessments shall be based on a
blueprint or intellectual property developed by a consortium of states predominantly
funded by organizations primarily dedicated to political advocacy.
(4)Requires the commissioner of administration to ensure that any contractor is in full
compliance with new law.
(5)Requires the commissioner of administration to ensure that a copy of any subcontract
entered into by the selected contractor be submitted to the division of administration
within 10 calendar days of finalization of the contract.
(6)Requires the state chief procurement officer, in accordance with applicable state law,
to make a final determination regarding the department's request for proposals to
solicit a vendor for the assessments, by July 15, 2015, provided all requirements of
the state procurement code have been met.
(7)Requires the state chief procurement officer, in accordance with applicable state law,
to make a final determination regarding the department's contract for the
assessments, not later than Oct. 15, 2015, provided all requirements of the state
procurement code have been met.
Provides that new law is null and void on July 1, 2016.
Effective August 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 17:24.4(F)(1)(a); Adds R.S. 17:24.4(F)(2))