The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SB 496 Original 2020 Regular Session Boudreaux
Proposed law establishes and provides for the Purple Star School Award Program.
Proposed law defines the following terms and phrases:
(1)"Active duty" means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United
States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant
to 10 U.S.C. Section 1209 and 1211.
(2)"Department" means the State Department of Education.
(3)"Military-connected students and their families" means school-aged children in the
household of an active duty member, who are enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade
in a public elementary or secondary school, and their families.
(4)"Uniformed service" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well
as the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and
Public Health Services.
Proposed law provides that the Purple Star School Award shall be given to military-friendly schools
that have demonstrated a major commitment to miliary-connected students and families and which
meet the qualifications in proposed law.
Proposed law requires the State Department of Education ("department") to develop and make
available forms on which to apply for the Purple Star School Award and establish a time line for the
annual distribution, submittal, and consideration of the applications.
Proposed law requires that the department form a Purple Star School Review Team to review
applications timely received by the department to determine which applicant schools to recommend
for the designation. Provides that final selection of schools to receive the award shall be made by
BESE.
Proposed law provides that each school recognized as a Purple Star School shall receive a Purple
Star School Award to display at school and may use the designation on its website. In addition each
Purple Star School shall be recognized on the department's website.
Proposed law provides that each public school district in which all schools have achieved the Purple
Star School designation shall be recognized as a Purple Star School District and may use this
designation on its website. Proposed law requires that a school fulfill all required activities listed in proposed law and at least
one optional activity listed in proposed law to qualify for the Purple Star School designation.
Required activities include all of the following:
(1)The school must designate a member of its staff as a military liaison who shall serve as a
point of contact for military-connected students and their families and serve as the primary
liaison between them and the school including:
(a)Developing training on special considerations for military-connected students and
families.
(b)Identifying and informing teachers of the military-connected students in their
classrooms and the special considerations military-connected students and their
families should receive.
(c)Working with school administration and military program partners to conduct a
school-wide professional development that informs staff of the unique needs of
military-connected students and on resources available to support these students.
(2)The district school board adopts a resolution of the school or district's support for
military-connected students and their families.
(3)The school keeps a dedicated page on its website featuring resources for military-connected
student and their families including planning arrival, information on enrollment and
registration, preparing to move (educational records requests and transfers), information on
advanced academic programs and procedure, graduation requirements, diploma options, and
home instruction, and special education services and parental rights.
(4)The school district has assigned a central office staff member to be the contact for the school
based liaison and military-connected students and their families.
(5)The school maintains a student-led transition program to include a student transition team
coordinator. This program should provide peer support for newly enrolled and withdrawing
students to include those that are military connected.
(6)The school district has completed at least one of the following:
(a)District wide professional development regarding special considerations for
military-connected students and their families.
(b)The school board adopts a resolution publicizing the school district's support for
military-connected students and their families.
(c)The school district hosts a military recognition event designed to demonstrate a military-friendly culture across the school district community.
(7) The application is submitted by the deadline.
Optional activities include the following:
(1)The liaison coordinates professional development on federally identified special
considerations for military-connected students and families in the areas of (a) records and
enrollment, (b) placement and attendance, (c) eligibility, and (d) graduation.
(2)The liaison coordinates awareness training for military-connected family members.
(3)The school hosts a military recognition event to demonstrate a military-friendly culture at the
school.
Authorizes the department to adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer proposed law.
Provides that the Act applies 2020-2021 school year.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:1916)