HLS 20RS-742 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 448
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY: Provides relative to the use of student test scores and
diploma types in calculations of performance scores for the school and district
accountability system
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 17:10.1(J), relative to school and district accountability; to provide for equal
3 weight to be granted in calculations of school and district performance scores in
4 categories related to certain test scores and diploma attainment; and to provide for
5 related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 17:10.1(J) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง10.1. School and district accountability system; purpose; responsibilities of state
9 board
10 * * *
11 J. For purposes of calculations made pursuant to the school and district
12 accountability system, an equal number of points shall be assigned for students
13 within the following categories:
14 (1) For points based on ACT scores, all students whose composite score on
15 the ACT is within the range of minimum scores required to qualify students for a
16 TOPS-Tech Award or Opportunity Award as provided by R.S. 17:5024.
17 (2) For points based on the diploma earned, all students who earned a high
18 school diploma in four years, regardless of the type of diploma, curriculum
19 completed, achievement of certain scores in advanced classes, credentials earned, or
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 20RS-742 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 448
1 attainment of any postsecondary degree while in high school. Relative to the
2 curriculum completed, no distinction shall be made between students who
3 successfully complete the core curriculum required to qualify for an Opportunity,
4 Performance, or Honors Award as provided by R.S. 17:5025 and those who
5 successfully complete the core curriculum required to qualify for a TOPS-Tech
6 Award pursuant to R.S. 17:5026.
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 448 Original 2020 Regular Session Cox
Abstract: Requires equal weight to be granted in certain test score and diploma categories
for purposes of calculating school and district performance scores.
Present law requires the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to
provide for a system of school and district accountability and for the assignment of letter
grades to each school and district based on BESE's method of determining performance
scores. (Such method is provided in BESE policy.) Proposed law adds that for purposes of
calculations made pursuant to this system, the same number of points shall be awarded for
students in the following categories:
(1)Those whose composite score on the ACT is within the range of minimum scores
required to qualify students for a TOPS-Tech Award or Opportunity Award as
provided by the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) program.
(2)Those earning a high school diploma in four years, regardless of the type of diploma,
curriculum completed, achievement of certain scores in advanced classes, credentials
earned, or attainment of any postsecondary degrees while in high school. Relative
to the curriculum completed, no distinction shall be made between students who
successfully complete the core curriculum required to qualify for a TOPS
Opportunity, Performance, or Honors Award and those who successfully complete
the core curriculum required to qualify for a TOPS-Tech Award.
(Adds R.S. 17:10.1(J))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.