ENROLLED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 154
BY REPRESENTATIVE HOFFMANN
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Louisiana
Student Financial Assistance Commission, and the Board of Regents to study
collaboratively the feasibility and advisability of allowing a course in Anatomy and
Physiology to satisfy certain requirements relative to high school graduation and
qualification for Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) awards.
WHEREAS, the Constitution of Louisiana provides that it is the goal of the state's
public educational system to afford every individual an equal opportunity to develop to his
full potential; and
WHEREAS, Anatomy and Physiology is a dynamic and challenging high school
science course that provides an excellent foundation for students planning to pursue careers
in the health care field; and
WHEREAS, this course is being phased out as one that fulfills science requirements
relative to high school graduation and the core curricula required for qualification for a
TOPS award; and
WHEREAS, some teachers and students have expressed a desire to retain this
rigorous course as an option for satisfying both high school graduation and TOPS core
curricula requirements; and
WHEREAS, there has been a move in recent years to align high school graduation
requirements with the TOPS core curricula; thus, any consideration of allowing certain
courses to satisfy high school graduation requirements should be made in concert with
considerations of courses required for TOPS qualification; and
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WHEREAS, in order to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every
student an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential, it is imperative the feasibility
and advisability of allowing Anatomy and Physiology to satisfy high school graduation and
TOPS eligibility requirements receive a thorough evaluation.
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, the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, and the
Board of Regents study collaboratively the feasibility and advisability of allowing a course
in Anatomy and Physiology to satisfy certain requirements relative to high school graduation
and qualification for Taylor Opportunity Program for Students awards and submit a written
report of findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the House Committee on Education
not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 2017 Regular Session of the Legislature
of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the chairman
of the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, and the chairman of the Board
of Regents.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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