HLS 15RS-2721 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 194
BY REPRESENTATIVE HARRISON
EDUCATION/SPECIAL: Requests local education agencies to use the "developmental
delay" category of exceptionality for children with Down syndrome
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request local education agencies, including city, parish, and other local public
3 school boards, to use the "developmental delay" category of exceptionality for
4 children with Down syndrome for purposes of evaluation and Individualized
5 Education Programs, if applicable.
6 WHEREAS, as defined in the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's
7Bulletin 1508 - Pupil Appraisal Handbook, "Developmental Delay is a disability in which
8students/children, ages three through eight, are identified as experiencing developmental
9delays in one or more of the following areas: physical development, cognitive development,
10communication development, social or emotional development or adaptive development";
11and
12 WHEREAS, this bulletin states that the use of the developmental delay category by
13local education agencies is optional; and
14 WHEREAS, current law, R.S. 17:1942(D), defines "local education agency" for
15special education purposes as a public board of education or other public authority legally
16constituted within Louisiana for administrative control and direction of or to perform a
17service function for public elementary or secondary schools in a city, parish, or other local
18public school district or other political subdivision; and
19 WHEREAS, the definition further provides that the term includes an education
20service agency and special schools and school districts as specified in current law and any
Page 1 of 2 HLS 15RS-2721 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 194
1other public institution or agency having administrative control and direction of a public
2elementary or secondary school; and
3 WHEREAS, current law, R.S. 17:1944, requires that in providing for the education
4of students with exceptionalities within their jurisdictions, local education agencies shall
5have in effect policies, procedures, and programs that are consistent with state policies and
6procedures; and
7 WHEREAS, most but not all local education agencies in Louisiana, including city,
8parish, and other local public school boards, choose to use the "developmental delay"
9category for children with Down syndrome; and
10 WHEREAS, in order to ensure that each student with Down syndrome receives the
11special education and related services that he is entitled to under both state and federal law
12and that are best suited to his specific needs and abilities, it is imperative that local education
13agencies, including city, parish, and other local public school boards, use the "developmental
14delay" category for these students, if applicable.
15 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
16Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request local education agencies, including
17city, parish, and other local public school boards, to use the "developmental delay" category
18of exceptionality for children with Down syndrome for purposes of evaluation and
19Individualized Education Programs, if applicable.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted
21to the state superintendent of education who shall be responsible for disseminating a copy
22to each local education agency as defined in R.S. 17:1942(D).
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)]
HR 194 Original 2015 Regular Session Harrison
Requests local education agencies, including city, parish, and other local public school
boards, to use the "developmental delay" category of exceptionality for children with Down
syndrome, if applicable.
Page 2 of 2