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 400 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Reynolds
Abstract: Requires that the state Dept. of Education's reviews of textbooks in core subjects be
conducted in accordance with the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education's
schedule of reviews of core state academic content standards.
Present law requires the state Dept. of Education (DOE) to conduct reviews of textbooks and other
instructional materials in the core subjects of English language arts, mathematics, science, and social
studies and to determine the degree to which each aligns with state content standards. Authorizes
DOE to conduct reviews in other subject areas as it deems necessary or upon the request of a public
school governing authority. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law requires DOE to conduct reviews in such core subjects at least every six years. Proposed
law requires that DOE do this in accordance with the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary
Education's schedule of reviews of core state academic content standards, prioritize reviews of
textbooks used to teach state academic content standards recently reviewed and revised, and publish
on its website a projected timeline of such prioritized reviews.
(Amends R.S. 17:351.1(B)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Restore present law provisions authorizing DOE to review textbooks at such times as it
deems necessary and appropriate and requiring the review of textbooks in core subject
areas at least every six years. 2. Add proposed law requirement that DOE conduct reviews in accordance with the state
board's schedule of reviews of core state academic content standards, prioritize reviews
of textbooks used to teach state academic content standards recently reviewed and
revised, and publish a projected review timeline on its website.
3. Remove proposed law prohibition against DOE's textbook reviews in more than one core
subject area in a given year and proposed law requirement that reviews in core subject
areas be conducted over the course of a six-year cycle.