Louisiana Senate Bill SCR52

Louisiana 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/4/20
• Refer: 5/4/20
• Report Pass: 5/7/20
• Passed: 5/11/20
• Engrossed: 5/13/20
• Refer: 5/13/20
• Report Pass: 5/20/20

Caption

Requests the Board of Regents and the postsecondary education management boards to adopt a flexible and holistic admissions policy for summer and fall 2020 semesters due to COVID-19.

Impact

If adopted, this resolution would bring about significant changes to state admissions policies, emphasizing flexibility to accommodate students who have faced disruptions, such as canceled standardized tests and modifications in grading due to online learning. It urges institutions to consider a broader range of factors in admissions decisions, potentially allowing more students access to postsecondary education in a time when traditional criteria may no longer reflect their capabilities or potential due to factors beyond their control.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 52 (SCR52) calls upon the Board of Regents and the various postsecondary education management boards in Louisiana to implement a flexible and holistic admissions policy for the summer and fall semesters of 2020, in response to the significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution is motivated by the challenges faced by students and educational institutions during the transition to online instruction, which has impacted students’ ability to meet existing admission standards. The resolution seeks to ensure that students are evaluated fairly under the unprecedented circumstances that have altered their educational landscape.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SCR52 appears overwhelmingly supportive, as there is a collective understanding of the unusual hardships brought about by the pandemic. Legislators seem to recognize the need for a compassionate approach to admissions during this tumultuous period. Furthermore, there is confidence that educational institutions in Louisiana will adopt this request, following the trend set by other institutions across the country that have similarly relaxed admissions standards during the crisis.

Contention

While there may not be significant public contention surrounding SCR52, the underlying conversation points to a broader implication regarding how admissions standards may evolve post-pandemic. Some educators and policymakers may express concerns about maintaining rigorous academic standards versus the necessity of being adaptive in light of the circumstances. However, the resolution seeks to strike a balance by promoting a policy that retains high expectations while ensuring that all students have a fair opportunity to pursue higher education despite the crisis.