The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 209 Original 2017 Regular Session Walsworth
Present law provides for the articulation and transfer of credit between and among public secondary
and postsecondary institutions.
Present law requires the Board of Regents (BoR) and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education (BESE) to enter into a statewide articulation agreement to govern the articulation and
transfer of credit between and among the state's public secondary and postsecondary educational
institutions and defines the minimum expectations contained in the agreements. Additionally
requires the Board of Regents to annually report to the house and senate education committees.
Proposed law requires the public postsecondary education management boards, BESE, BoR, and
local education agencies (LEAs) to collaborate and coordinate efforts to provide dual enrollment
courses. Provides that such courses may include:
(1)Postsecondary education courses that lead to credits that will apply toward an associate's or
bachelor's degree.
(2)Remedial and developmental courses to assist students in acquiring skills necessary to
successfully complete entry-level college English or mathematics courses.
(3)Career and technical courses aligned with the career major diploma.
Proposed law requires each public postsecondary management board to:
(1) Establish academic requirements for dual enrollment courses.
(2) Annually establish and publish maximum tuition costs which may be charged to a LEA for
dual enrollment courses. Prohibits postsecondary institutions from charging tuition costs to
a LEA for dual enrollment courses taught by an employee of the LEA, but allows an
institution to charge for required textbooks and materials for such a course. Further prohibits
institutions from charging an LEA more for a dual enrollment course than it charges for a
similar postsecondary course.
(3)Require each postsecondary institution to publish a list of dual enrollment courses prior to
the beginning of each semester that includes the course name, description, academic
eligibility requirements, enrollment processes and deadlines, course delivery method and
location, and a statement that high school students are not charged for tuition, fees, or
required textbooks and materials for the dual enrollment course. Proposed law requires BESE to direct each LEA to establish a process to:
(1)Identify high school students who are academically prepared for college courseware and
identify high school students who are not on track to be college ready.
(2)Notify each identified student of the availability of dual enrollment courses through the
Individual Graduation Plan development process.
(3)Provide access to such dual enrollment courses at no cost to the student.
Proposed law directs BESE to require the state Department of Education to assist LEAs to identify
state and federal funds which, in addition to local funds, can be used to support student participation
in dual enrollment courses.
Proposed law requires the BoR to ensure consistency of content and rigor across all courses,
including dual enrollment courses, for which postsecondary credit is awarded. Additionally requires
BoR to include the following dual enrollment information in its annual report to the house and senate
education committees regarding articulation and transfer:
(1)The number and percentage of high school students enrolling in dual enrollment courses.
(2)The number and percentage of high school students who pass dual enrollment courses,
including data by student subgroups.
(3)The number of postsecondary credits earned through dual enrollment.
(4)The number and percentage of high school students who take and pass CLEP examinations.
(5)Postsecondary degree attainment for students who did and did not participate in dual
enrollment courses.
(6)The amount charged to LEAs for dual enrollment courses.
(7)The estimated savings to the state and students attributable to dual enrollment courses.
Proposed law deletes obsolete provisions in present law relative to dual enrollment and articulation
and transfer.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:3165.3 and 3168(7); repeals R.S. 17:187.1-187.5, R.S. 17: 2929 and 3137)