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 583 Original 2024 Regular Session Amedee
Abstract: Provides for school choice for French language immersion programs for students in
grades prekindergarten through 12.
Proposed law offers options for certain students to pursue a French immersion education.
Parent petition
Present law (R.S. 17:273.3) authorizes local public school boards to establish foreign language
immersion programs. Requires a school board to establish such a program if requested in writing
by the parents of at least 25 students seeking enrollment in kindergarten or at least 25 students
seeking enrollment in first grade if certain criteria are met. Requires that such program be continued
as long as at least 20 students remain enrolled in the program.
Proposed law retains present law and further requires that if the program ceases despite having 20
students enrolled, the school board shall remit minimum foundation program foreign language
teacher salary supplement funds to the state Dept. of Education.
Proposed law authorizes parents who submit requests to local school boards to make appeals to the
State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Proposed law authorizes parents, if school boards do not fulfill the requirements of present law to
establish a program, to request approval as a charter school or request École Pointe-au-Chien,
L'Academie de la Louisiane, or a Type 2 charter school with an immersion program open a new
campus in an area that can serve their children.
L'Académie de la Louisiane
Present law (R.S. 17:1970.31) establishes legislative intent for a world language immersion school
called "International School in Lafayette". Proposed law narrows scope to French language and
changes name to "L'Académie de la Louisiane".
Provides L'Académie de la Louisiane is a public French immersion school for students in grades
prekindergarten through 12. Provides that the school shall be its own education agency. Provides
for governance by a 16-member board of directors and for state funding.
École Pointe-au-Chien Present law (R.S. 17:1977.1) creates École Pointe-au-Chien, an independent public French
immersion school for students in grades prekindergarten through four.
Proposed law expands school to include students in grade five, and more grades at the discretion of
the school's board of directors.
Present law provides for the school to be located in Terrebonne Parish.
Proposed law authorizes campus locations anywhere in the state.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:273.3(C)(2)(a)(intro. para,) and (v), (b), (d), and (e), 1970.31(A) and (C)(7),
1977.1, and 1977.2(A)(4) through (7) and (9); Adds R.S. 17:273.3(C)(2)(g) and (h) and 1970.32-
1970.34 and R.S. 36:651(C)(14))