The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 262 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Morrish
Present law provides for the La. Competency-Based Education Program, including the development
and implementation of statewide content standards for required subjects and the La. Educational
Assessment Program (LEAP) by the state Dept. of Education with approval of the State Bd. of
Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). Defines "statewide content standards for required
subjects" as statements that define what Louisiana public elementary and secondary students should
know or be able to accomplish at the end of a specific time period or grade level or at the completion
of a course.
Present law requires standards-based assessments for required subjects (English language arts, math,
science, and social studies) to be implemented by BESE and administered in at least grades three
through 11. Requires BESE to establish the adequate test scores for determining successful student
performance on the tests. Additionally, requires BESE to collect statewide results from the
assessments administered to students in 2014-2015 and 2015-16 in order to define the basis for
student achievement expectations to be used in the school and district accountability system; not vary
a school or district's letter grade from its letter grade from the 2012-2013 school year unless the
school or district has improved in its performance.
Proposed law provides that for the 2016-2017 school year BESE shall collect assessment data but
shall not require use of the results for evaluating teacher performance or making placement decisions
for fourth and eighth grade students. Additionally, proposed law continues the requirement that the
distribution of school and district letter grades shall not vary from that in the 2012-2013 school year,
unless the school or district has improved in its performance.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:24.4(F)(1)(g))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the original bill
1. Removes provisions extending suspension of accountability impacts for the 2017-
2018 and 2018-2019 school years.