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 242 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Emerson
Abstract: Requires the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and local public
school boards to send to charter applicants certain information relative to third-party
evaluations of charter proposals.
Present law requires BESE and local public school boards to review each charter school proposal
submitted in a timely manner and to determine whether each proposed charter complies with the law
and rules and whether the proposal is valid, complete, financially well-structured, educationally
sound, provides for a master plan for improving behavior and discipline, provides a plan for
collecting data, and offers potential for fulfilling the purposes of present law relative to charter
schools generally. Requires that the review process comply with the specified national principles and
standards.
Present law requires an independent evaluation of the charter proposal by a third party with
educational, organizational, legal, and financial expertise.
Proposed law adds a requirement that BESE and local school boards send to charter applicants the
final evaluation and recommendations, if any, of the third-party evaluator. Requires that such
information is sent electronically or hand delivered no later than five business days prior to the
meeting at which the board will take action on the charter proposal. Otherwise retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 17:3981(4) and 3982(A)(1)(a)(i))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Require BESE and local school boards to send the third-party evaluations and
recommendations to the charter applicant by electronic means or hand delivery instead
of posting such information on their respective websites.