2022 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 196
BY SENATOR HENRY
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Board of Regents and the state Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education to study collaboratively the feasibility and advisability of allowing
computer coding and American Sign Language to substitute for Foreign Language
for purposes of satisfying requirements relative to qualification for Taylor
Opportunity Program for Students awards and high school graduation and submit
jointly a written report of findings and conclusions, including any recommendations
for related legislation, to the Senate Committee on Education and the House
Committee on Education by March 10, 2023.
WHEREAS, the Constitution of Louisiana provides that it is the goal of the state's
public educational system to afford every individual an equal opportunity to develop to his
full potential; and
WHEREAS, computer coding is a dynamic and challenging high school course that
provides an excellent foundation for students interested in pursuing further studies and
high-demand, high-wage careers in technology-related fields; and
WHEREAS, just as many world languages exist, there is an extensive number of
computer coding languages that a programmer may use to communicate with a computer,
and these skills are increasingly important in a technologically advanced world economy;
and
WHEREAS, American Sign Language is equally as important as traditional Foreign
Language in that it teaches students the skills to communicate with people in different ways
and gives students an advantage in the workforce; and
WHEREAS, American Sign Language is already considered a foreign language for
receiving the State Seal of Biliteracy as provided in R.S. 17:273.4; and
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WHEREAS, some students who are particularly interested in learning the skills
offered in computer coding courses or American Sign Language courses would like the
option of taking these courses instead of a traditional Foreign Language to count for credit
toward satisfying requirements for high school graduation and Taylor Opportunity Program
for Students (TOPS) award qualification, but that is not currently an option; and
WHEREAS, computer coding and American Sign Language are not listed as courses
that a student can take to fulfill requirements for high school graduation; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, at least fourteen states allowed students to receive Foreign
Language credits for courses other than foreign language, including courses in computer
coding; and
WHEREAS, graduation requirements are set in the state Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education policy, except for graduation requirements for a career diploma, which
are set in state law; TOPS core curricula requirements are also provided in state law, thus,
amendments of such laws should be considered; and
WHEREAS, there has been a move in recent years to align high school graduation
requirements with TOPS core curricula requirements, thus, any revisions of these
requirements should be made in concert; and
WHEREAS, in order to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every
student an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential, it is appropriate that the
feasibility and advisability of allowing computer coding and American Sign Language to
substitute for Foreign Language for purposes of satisfying requirements relative to
qualification for TOPS awards and high school graduation receive a thorough evaluation.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Board of Regents and the state Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education to study collaboratively the feasibility and advisability of allowing
computer coding and American Sign Language to substitute for Foreign Language for
purposes of satisfying requirements relative to qualification for Taylor Opportunity Program
for Students awards and high school graduation and submit jointly a written report of
findings and conclusions, including any recommendations for related legislation, to the
Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Education by March 10, 2023.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
chairman of the Board of Regents and the president of the state Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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