Louisiana House Bill HCR126

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/11/15
• Refer: 5/12/15
• Report Pass: 5/20/15
• Engrossed: 6/1/15
• Refer: 6/2/15
• Report Pass: 6/4/15
• Passed: 6/7/15

Caption

Requests that the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Bd. of Regents and public school governing authorities, study certain issues relative to educator preparation programs

Impact

The passage of HCR126 aims to enhance the quality of teacher preparation programs in Louisiana. It underscores the importance of aligning teacher education with the demands of today's classrooms and aims to address reported inadequacies in the preparation new educators feel upon entering the teaching profession. By highlighting the challenges faced by new educators and the difficulties in recruiting qualified teachers, this resolution serves as a platform for future legislative discussions that may lead to specific policy changes or funding allocations.

Summary

HCR126 is a House Concurrent Resolution that requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), in consultation with the Board of Regents and public school governing authorities, to study issues related to educator preparation programs in Louisiana. The resolution emphasizes the importance of high-quality teaching as a critical factor for improving student achievement and supporting students' transition to post-secondary education and the workforce. It outlines the expectation that Louisiana public schools achieve a majority of students performing at a level of 'Mastery' or above on standardized tests by 2025, stressing the need for effective educators in the classroom.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment surrounding HCR126 appears to be positive, as it acknowledges the need for improvements in educator preparation to ultimately benefit students. Legislators and education advocates seem to recognize the pressing challenges within the current education framework and the need for a proactive approach. However, there may be some contention regarding how well the proposed study and resulting recommendations will be implemented and funded, reflecting the ongoing debates on educational quality and teacher support.

Contention

Notably, HCR126 opens the floor for discussions on various issues, such as exploring innovative strategies for attracting high-performing students into teaching and fostering partnerships between educational systems and preparation programs. There may be differing opinions on the effectiveness of these approaches, as education stakeholders consider the implications of recruiting new talent and revising admission criteria for teacher education programs. The emphasis on a written report of findings also creates an opportunity for further debate over proposed legislative actions that may arise from the study.