HLS 20RS-872 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 559
BY REPRESENTATIVE DUPLESSIS
EDUCATION: Provides with respect to early childhood literacy
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 17:8, relative to early childhood; provides relative to literacy for children from
3 birth through third grade; provides relative to funding; and to provide for related
4 matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 17:8 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 ยง8. Early literacy pilot program
8 A. The state Department of Education shall establish and provide for the
9 implementation of an early literacy pilot program to develop and implement an
10 aligned system to provide effective evidence-based reading instruction for children
11 from birth through third grade. In the establishment and implementation of such
12 program, the department shall:
13 (1) Consider the recommendations contained in the report published in
14 January 2020 by the Early Literacy Commission created by House Resolution No.
15 222 of the 2019 Regular Session.
16 (2) Coordinate with early childhood community networks and local school
17 districts to support teachers in effectively implementing high quality instructional
18 materials and using evidence-based practices to meet the literacy needs of their
19 students.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 20RS-872 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 559
1 (3) Report an update of the progress and findings of the pilot program to the
2 State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education no later than April 30, 2021.
3 B. Implementation of the provisions of this Section is subject to the
4 appropriation of funds for this purpose.
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 559 Original 2020 Regular Session Duplessis
Abstract: Creates an early literacy pilot program.
Proposed law requires the state Dept. of Education to establish an early literacy pilot
program to develop a uniform system for reading instruction from birth through third grade.
In doing so, the state department shall:
(1)Consider recommendations from the Early Literacy Commission report, published
in Jan. 2020, pursuant to HR No. 222 of the 2019 R.S.
(2)Coordinate with early childhood community networks and local school districts.
Proposed law requires the state department to report on progress and findings of the pilot
program to the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education no later than April 30,
2021.
Provides that proposed law is subject to the appropriation of funds by the legislature.
(Adds R.S. 17:8)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.