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