Louisiana Senate Bill SB310

Louisiana 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/14/16
• Report Pass: 5/2/16
• Engrossed: 5/4/16
• Refer: 5/5/16
• Report Pass: 5/18/16
• Enrolled: 6/1/16
• Chaptered: 6/13/16
• Passed: 6/13/16

Caption

Requires the Dept. of Education to collect and report certain special education data. (gov sig) (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

Impact

By requiring the annual publication of detailed expenditure and revenue data for each school district, SB310 aims to improve transparency and accountability in how funds are utilized. The law intends to facilitate better understanding and analysis regarding how resources dedicated to special education are being distributed and spent, which could inform future policy decisions and budgeting for educational services.

Summary

Senate Bill 310 seeks to enhance the collection and reporting of data related to special education in Louisiana. The bill mandates the Department of Education to gather comprehensive data on students with exceptionalities, ensuring it is broken down by disability classification, race, gender, age, and other relevant factors. The goal is to provide clearer visibility into the allocation of resources and outcomes for special education students across various school systems.

Sentiment

The reception of SB310 has generally been positive among educational advocates who see it as a necessary step towards ensuring that students with special needs receive adequate support and resources. However, there are concerns regarding the feasibility of collecting and reporting such detailed information consistently. Advocates highlight that proper implementation of the bill is essential for it to meet its objectives of fostering transparency and accountability.

Contention

Notable points of contention around SB310 include the complexity and potential burden on local school districts to comply with the extensive data collection requirements outlined in the bill. Critics argue that while increasing accountability is important, the additional workload could divert resources away from direct educational services. The effectiveness of the data collected will hinge not only on the quality of reporting but also on how the information is used to drive improvements in special education.