ENROLLED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 209
BY REPRESENTATIVE WESLEY BISHOP
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in
collaboration with the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, to study issues
relative to the high school graduation rates for special education students in
Louisiana and to submit a written report of study findings and recommendations to
the House Committee on Education by not later than January 15, 2016.
WHEREAS, the Constitution of Louisiana provides that it is the goal of the public
educational system "to provide learning environments and experiences, at all stages of
human development, that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that
every individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential"; and
WHEREAS, according to Education Week's "Diplomas Count 2015" annual report,
Louisiana's special education graduation rates were among the worst in the United States in
2013; and
WHEREAS, the report reveals that only thirty-seven percent of the special education
students enrolled in Louisiana public high schools graduated with a diploma – trailing
regular education students by over thirty-five percent; and
WHEREAS, the report also showed that on average across the United States, special
education students had a nineteen point graduation deficit compared to regular education
students; and
Page 1 of 3 HR NO. 209 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, special education students in high school are increasingly expected to
perform to high academic standards and to prepare for further education or training and a
productive role in the workplace; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, Act No. 833 was enacted by the legislature to provide
alternative pathways for grade promotion and graduation for certain special education
students who do not pass standardized tests; and
WHEREAS, according to advocates for special education students and for this
legislation, this law represented a major shift in policy and a monumental departure from
being among the states with the most stringent and restrictive policies for grade promotion
and graduation to joining many states in recognizing the role a student’s Individualized
Education Program should have in determining student outcomes; and
WHEREAS, this effort was a collaborative approach by parents of special education
students, special education administrators, policymakers, and advocacy organizations who
worked together to ensure that each student has the opportunity to maximize his potential
and earn a diploma; and
WHEREAS, although this legislation was a large step in the right direction in
providing special education students this opportunity and providing them with proper
recognition of their achievements, further study is needed in order to determine the reasons
for the state's low graduation rate for these students and further solutions for increasing the
rate.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education, in collaboration with the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities
Council, to study issues relative to the high school graduation rates for special education
students in Louisiana and to submit a written report of study findings and recommendations
to the House Committee on Education by not later than January 15, 2016.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such study shall include but not be limited to the
following:
(1) The reasons for Louisiana's low graduation rate for special education students.
(2) Ways to improve the graduation rate.
(3) Any policies or further legislation that may be necessary to address these issues.
Page 2 of 3 HR NO. 209 ENROLLED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted
to the president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state
superintendent of education, and the executive director of the Louisiana Developmental
Disabilities Council.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Page 3 of 3