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 543 Original 2015 Regular Session Harrison
Abstract: Requires the state Dept. of Education to develop and implement an accountability system
for nonpublic schools participating in the voucher program and requires compliance by such
schools. Requires nonpublic schools applying to participate in the program to be determined
as effective schools through the use of an accountability system comparable to the public
school accountability system.
Present law, relative to the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence (voucher) Program,
requires the state Dept. of Education to develop criteria for participation that include an
accountability system for participating students at participating schools. Provides that such system
shall not be altered except by legislative Act except for certain numeric adjustments made by the
state superintendent of education.
Proposed law deletes present law and instead requires the department to develop and implement an
accountability system for participating nonpublic schools that is comparable to and contains the same
components, requirements, and criteria as the school and district accountability system for public
schools, including but not limited to requirements for high stakes testing, assignment of letter grades
to schools, and publishing and reporting of accountability results. Requires participating nonpublic
schools to comply with the accountability system.
Proposed law requires that in order for a nonpublic school to be eligible to participate in the
program, it must be determined by the department to be effective pursuant to an accountability
system provided for by proposed law.
Effective July 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 17:4015(2) and (9); Adds R.S. 17:4021(A)(4) and 4022(7))