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 635 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Glover
Abstract: Provides that a course in African American History shall satisfy certain requirements
relative to qualification for certain Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) awards.
Present law provides for TOPS as a program of merit scholarships for students attending certain
postsecondary education institutions who meet specific initial eligibility requirements, including
academic requirements pertaining to grade point average, ACT score, and a specified high school
core curriculum.
For a student to be eligible for an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors Award:
Present law requires four units of social studies, as follows:
(1)One unit chosen from the following: U.S. History, AP US History, or IB US History.
(2)One unit chosen from the following: Civics, Government, AP US Government and Politics:
Comparative, AP US Government and Politics: United States.
(3)Two units chosen from the following: Western Civilization, European History, or AP
European History; World Geography, AP Human Geography, or IB Geography; World
History, AP World History, or World History IB; History of Religion; IB Economics,
Economics, AP Macroeconomics, or AP Microeconomics.
Proposed law, applicable to students graduating from high school during the 2021-22 school year
or thereafter, adds African American History to the list of courses in (3) above and otherwise retains
present law.
(Amends R.S. 17:5025(intro. para.) and (4)(c); Adds R.S. 17:5025.4)