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 211 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Wright
Abstract: Provides relative to the ability of students to attend the public school of their choice,
including provisions for appealing a denial of enrollment to the State Bd. of Elementary and
Secondary Education (BESE).
Present law allows parents to enroll children in the public school of their choice, without regard to
residence, school system geographic boundaries, or attendance zones, if both of the following apply:
(1)The public school in which the student was most recently enrolled or would otherwise attend
received a school performance letter grade of "D" or "F" for the most recent school year.
(2)The school in which the student seeks to enroll received a school performance letter grade
of "A", "B", or "C" for the most recent school year and has sufficient capacity at the
appropriate grade level.
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law authorizes appeals to BESE by parents of students who are denied enrollment into their
public school of choice. Provides if BESE overturns the denial of a transfer request and the student's
desired school of attendance has a waiting list for enrollment, the school is authorized to determine
the order of names on the list.
Present law requires each public school governing authority to adopt a policy to govern student
transfers authorized by present law. Proposed law retains present law and further requires that the
policy be posted to each of the governing authorities' websites by Sept. 30, 2022, and reported to the
state Dept. of Education by Dec. 31, 2022.
Proposed law requires such policy to include an annual transfer request period. Requires public
school governing authorities to notify parents and legal guardians of the policy; the provisions of
R.S. 17:4035.1; "A", "B", and "C" schools under its jurisdiction; and where to find school
performance letter grades on the department's website.
Proposed law requires BESE to pursue funds to provide financial incentives and student supports
to schools enrolling students pursuant to present law and proposed law.
Proposed law provides that if a student chooses a school under a different governing authority, he
shall not be included in the school's performance ratings for his first two years of attendance. Proposed law requires BESE to submit a report on or before Oct. 31 annually to the legislative
committees on education which includes data relative to student transfers during the most recent
school year.
(Amends R.S. 17:4035.1(C) through (E); Adds R.S. 17:4035.1(F) and (G))