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2017 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 225
BY SENATORS HEWITT AND BISHOP AND REPRESENTATIVE HILFERTY
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
CURRICULA. Creates the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Advisory Council (LaSTEM). (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact Chapter 45 of Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised
3 of R.S. 17:4071 through 4073, and R.S. 36:651(T)(6), relative to science, technology,
4 engineering, and mathematics education; to create the Louisiana Science,
5 Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council and provide for its
6 membership, powers, duties, and functions; to create and provide with respect to the
7 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Fund; to provide for
8 a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics high school diploma
9 endorsement; and to provide for related matters.
10 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
11 Section 1. Chapter 45 of Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950,
12 comprised of R.S. 17:4071 through 4073, is hereby enacted to read as follows:
13 §4071. Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
14 Advisory Council; creation; membership; powers, duties, and
15 functions
16 A. The Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
17 Council (LaSTEM) is hereby created under the auspices of the Board of
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1 Regents to coordinate and oversee the creation, delivery, and promotion of
2 STEM education programs, to increase student interest and achievement in the
3 fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, to ensure the
4 alignment of education, economic development, industry, and workforce needs,
5 and to increase the number of women who graduate from a postsecondary
6 institution with a STEM degree or credential.
7 B. The council shall consist of twenty-nine members as follows:
8 (1) The commissioner of higher education, or his designee.
9 (2) The secretary of the Department of Economic Development, or his
10 designee.
11 (3) The executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, or
12 his designee.
13 (4) The state superintendent of education, or his designee.
14 (5) The president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary
15 Education, or his designee.
16 (6) The president of the Louisiana State University System, or his
17 designee.
18 (7) The president of the Southern University System, or his designee.
19 (8) The president of the University of Louisiana System, or his designee.
20 (9) The president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College
21 System, or his designee.
22 (10) The executive director of the Louisiana School Boards Association,
23 or his designee.
24 (11) The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Principals,
25 or his designee.
26 (12) The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Public
27 Charter Schools, or his designee.
28 (13) The president of the Louisiana Science Teachers Association, or his
29 designee.
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1 (14) The president of the Louisiana Association of Teachers of
2 Mathematics, or his designee.
3 (15) Two members who are on the faculty of a Louisiana postsecondary
4 education institution and who teach in a STEM discipline, appointed by the
5 commissioner of higher education.
6 (16) The president of the Louisiana Association of Business and
7 Industry, or his designee.
8 (17) Three members with demonstrated interest, experience, and
9 expertise in STEM education, appointed by the governor.
10 (18) Three members representing key industries in the state, appointed
11 by the secretary of the Department of Economic Development.
12 (19) A member of the Louisiana Senate, appointed by the president of
13 the Senate.
14 (20) A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, appointed by
15 the speaker of the House.
16 (21) The chairman of the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council, or
17 his designee.
18 (22) The president of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges
19 and Universities, or his designee.
20 (23) The president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, or his
21 designee.
22 (24) The president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, or his
23 designee.
24 C. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of appointment.
25 D. Members shall serve without compensation or reimbursement of
26 expenses, other than what may be afforded by their appointing authority.
27 Legislative members of the council shall receive the same per diem and
28 reimbursement of travel expenses as is provided for legislative committee
29 meetings under the rules of the respective house in which they serve.
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1 E. The council shall be chaired by the commissioner of higher education
2 or his designee. The secretary of the Department of Economic Development, or
3 his designee, shall serve as the initial vice chairman of the council. Thereafter,
4 the vice chairmanship shall alternate on a triennial basis between the state
5 superintendent of education, or his designee, the secretary of the Department
6 of Economic Development, or his designee, and the executive director of the
7 Louisiana Workforce Commission, or his designee. The council may elect such
8 other officers as it deems necessary.
9 F. The council shall meet monthly and at such other times as called by
10 the chairman. The commissioner of higher education shall convene the first
11 meeting of the council not later than September 15, 2017.
12 G. A majority of the total membership shall constitute a quorum for the
13 transaction of business and all actions taken by the council shall require the
14 affirmative vote of the majority of the members present and voting.
15 H. As funding allows, the council shall:
16 (1) Create a comprehensive, statewide STEM plan that contains clear
17 objectives to guide the development of STEM education and STEM career
18 opportunities and aligns elementary, secondary, and postsecondary STEM
19 curricula, programs, initiatives, and activities.
20 (2) Coordinate all state STEM education-related programs and
21 activities.
22 (3) Create a new STEM culture and promote activities that raise
23 awareness of STEM education and STEM career opportunities.
24 (4) Integrate employers and educators by engaging business and
25 industry, employers, professional and community-based organizations, and
26 other stakeholders in STEM education and career and talent programs and
27 activities.
28 (5) Encourage industry and business entities to provide funding,
29 resources, and technical assistance to elementary, secondary, and postsecondary
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1 schools to promote interest in STEM discipline courses and career
2 opportunities.
3 (6) Connect STEM education resources, initiatives, and programs
4 regionally and throughout the state.
5 (7) Establish an information clearinghouse, to be housed at the Board
6 of Regents, to identify and provide best practice resources for both the
7 secondary and postsecondary educational systems and to review and acquire
8 STEM education related instructional materials.
9 (8) Empower STEM teachers and provide support for high quality
10 professional development for teachers of STEM subjects.
11 (9) As appropriate, join and participate in a national STEM network
12 and collaborate with other states in STEM education program development.
13 (10) Establish a competitive grants program to fund robotics
14 competitions to provide students at all appropriate grade levels opportunities
15 to improve science, engineering, technology, and mathematics skills by
16 participating in events sponsored by a science and technology development
17 program known as FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
18 Technology) Robotics. The program may be funded through the Science,
19 Engineering, Mathematics, and Technology Education Fund and any other
20 available public or private funds.
21 I. The council may:
22 (1) Establish such subcommittees and workgroups as the council deems
23 necessary and appropriate to carry out its duties and responsibilities.
24 (2) Solicit funds, contributions, and grants from any allowable source
25 to implement the provisions of this Section and to further STEM education in
26 the state.
27 (3) Seek the expertise and services of individuals and entities outside its
28 membership for research, advice, and other needs as required to carry out the
29 council's mission.
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1 J. The council, through the Board of Regents, shall submit a status
2 report regarding all actions taken to implement the provisions of this Section,
3 including metrics that measure the success of implementing council activities
4 and initiatives and any recommendations for legislation or policy changes, to the
5 Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Education by
6 January thirtieth of each year.
7 §4072. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Fund
8 A. The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
9 Education Fund is hereby created in the state treasury for the purpose of
10 conducting student-focused, project-based, programs and competitions in
11 STEM subjects, including robotics, coding, and design-build test projects, in
12 grades prekindergarten through college level.
13 B.(1) The source of monies deposited into the fund shall be legislative
14 appropriations. Monies in the fund shall be subject to appropriation by the
15 legislature and shall be available exclusively for programs and initiatives
16 prescribed by the Louisiana Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and
17 Technology Advisory Council.
18 (2) The treasurer is hereby authorized to establish a separate account
19 within the fund for the deposit of grants and donations received by the
20 Louisiana Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Technology Advisory
21 Council. Monies in this separate account shall not be subject to legislative
22 appropriation but shall be used by the council only to further their mission.
23 C. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end of
24 the fiscal year shall remain in the fund. Such monies shall be invested by the
25 state treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund, and
26 interest earned on the investment of these monies shall be credited to the fund,
27 after compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the
28 Constitution of Louisiana, relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.
29 §4073. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; diploma
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1 endorsement program
2 A. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in
3 consultation with the Louisiana Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and
4 Technology Advisory Council, shall establish an Engineering, Mathematics, and
5 Technology (STEM) diploma endorsement to recognize a high school student
6 who exhibits superior academic achievement in STEM discipline subjects.
7 B. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall
8 establish the minimum course, proficiency, and other requirements the board
9 deems necessary and appropriate for a student to earn the STEM diploma
10 endorsement.
11 C. The state Department of Education and each public school governing
12 authority shall provide information regarding the requirements for STEM
13 diploma endorsement to all students enrolled in grades six through twelve and
14 their parents.
15 D. The governing authority of each public high school shall maintain the
16 records needed to identify students who have earned the STEM diploma
17 endorsement and shall note such on the transcript of each student who earns the
18 endorsement.
19 E. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt
20 rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the
21 provisions of this Section.
22 Section 2. R.S. 36:651(T)(6) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
23 §651. Transfer of boards, commissions, departments, and agencies to Department of
24 Education; boards, commissions, and agencies within Department of
25 Education
26 * * *
27 T. The following agencies are placed within the Department of Education and
28 shall perform and exercise their powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities as
29 provided by law:
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1 * * *
2 (6) The Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
3 Advisory Council (R.S. 17:4071).
4 * * *
5 Section 3. Nothing in this Act shall be construed in a manner as to supersede the
6 constitutionally and statutorily prescribed powers, duties, and responsibilities of the State
7 Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Regents, or a postsecondary
8 education management board.
9 Section 4. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
10 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
11 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
12 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
13 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
SB 225 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Hewitt
Proposed law provides with respect to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
education as follows:
Proposed law creates the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Advisory Council (LaSTEM) under the auspices of the Board of Regents to coordinate and
oversee the creation, delivery, and promotion of STEM education programs, to increase
student interest and achievement in the fields of science, engineering, technology, and
mathematics, to ensure the alignment of education, economic development, industry, and
workforce needs, and to increase the number of women who graduate from a postsecondary
institution with a STEM degree or credential.
Provides that the council shall be composed of the following 29 members:
(1)The commissioner of higher education, or his designee.
(2)The secretary of the Department of Economic Development, or his designee.
(3)The executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, or his designee.
(4)The state superintendent of education, or his designee.
(5)The president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, or his
designee.
(6)The president of the Louisiana State University System, or his designee.
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(7)The president of the Southern University System, or his designee.
(8)The president of the University of Louisiana System, or his designee.
(9)The president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, or his
designee.
(10)The executive director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, or his designee.
(11)The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Principals, or his designee.
(12)The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, or his
designee.
(13)The president of the Louisiana Science Teachers Association, or his designee.
(14)The president of the Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics, or his
designee.
(15)Two members who are on the faculty of a Louisiana postsecondary education
institution who teach in a STEM discipline, appointed by the commissioner of higher
education.
(16)The president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, or his designee.
(17)Three members with demonstrated interest, experience, and expertise in STEM
education, appointed by the governor.
(18)Three members representing key industries in the state, appointed by the secretary
of the Department of Economic Development.
(19)A member of the Louisiana Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate.
(20)A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of
the House.
(21)The chairman of the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council, or his designee.
(22)The president of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities, or his designee.
(23)The president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, or his designee.
(24)The president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, or his designee.
Provides that members shall serve without compensation or reimbursement, other than what
may be afforded by the appointing authority. Further provides that legislative members shall
receive the same per diem and reimbursement of travel expenses as provided by their
respective houses for legislative committee meetings.
Provides that the commissioner of higher education shall chair the council and the vice-
chairmanship shall alternate between the state superintendent of education, the secretary of
the Department of Economic Development, and the executive director of the Louisiana
Workforce Commission.
Provides that the council shall meet at least once a month. Further provides that a majority
of the membership constitutes a quorum and a majority vote of those present and voting is
required for all council actions. Additionally provides that the first meeting of the council
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shall be no later than Sept. 15, 2017.
Provides that the council shall, as funding allows:
(1) Create a comprehensive, statewide STEM plan.
(2) Coordinate all state STEM education-related programs and activities.
(3) Create a new STEM culture and promote activities that raise awareness of STEM
education and STEM career opportunities.
(4)Integrate employers and educators.
(5)Encourage business and industry to provide funding, resources, and technical
assistance to schools to promote interest in STEM discipline courses and career
opportunities.
(6)Connect STEM education resources, initiatives, and programs.
(7)Establish an information clearinghouse of information regarding best practice
resources and STEM education-related instructional materials.
(8)Provide support for high quality professional development for STEM teachers.
(9)As appropriate, join and participate in a national STEM network and collaborate with
other states in STEM education program development.
(10)Establish a competitive grants program to fund robotics competitions for students,
including events sponsored by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
and Technology) Robotics.
Requires the council, through the Board of Regents, to submit a status report regarding
implementation of proposed law to the Senate and House committees on education by
January 30 of each year. Specifies that the report shall include metrics to measure success
of implementation of proposed law.
Proposed law creates the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fund in the
state treasury and provides that monies in the fund shall be appropriated by the legislature
and shall be available exclusively for programs and initiatives prescribed by LaSTEM.
Authorizes the state treasurer to establish a separate account within the fund for the deposit
of grants and donations received by LaSTEM. Monies in this separate account shall not be
subject to legislative appropriation, but shall be used by the council only to further their
mission.
Proposed law requires the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics high school diploma endorsement and
establish the requirements for earning the endorsement. Further requires public school
governing authorities to identify students who earn the STEM diploma endorsement and note
such on the student's transcript.
Provides that nothing in proposed law shall be construed in a manner as to supersede the
constitutionally and statutorily prescribed powers, duties, and responsibilities of the State
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Regents, or a postsecondary
education management board.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:4071-4073 and R.S. 36:651(T)(6))
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Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill
1. Makes technical corrections.
2. Clarifies that the council is under the auspices of the Board of Regents.
3. Adds the purpose of increasing women STEM graduates.
4. Increases the council's membership.
5. Allows legislators on the council to receive per diem and expenses as
provided for legislative committee meetings.
6. Includes the state superintendent of education in the rotation for the vice-
chairmanship of the council.
7. Establishes a date for the first meeting of the council.
8. Requires annual report to include metrics to measure progress.
9. Provides that proposed law shall not be construed as to supersede the powers,
duties, and responsibilities of BESE, the Board of Regents, or the
postsecondary education management boards.
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