Louisiana House Bill HB79

Louisiana 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/24
• Refer: 2/14/24
• Refer: 3/11/24

Caption

Requires the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to measure the compliance of public schools and school districts with state laws and BESE policies and to assign and publish letter grades indicative of such compliance (OR +$1,525,177 GF EX See Note)

Impact

The introduction of a compliance letter grade system is anticipated to influence state laws regarding educational accountability. In particular, it establishes clear performance expectations for public educational institutions, allowing for a direct comparison of compliance among schools and districts. This move is seen as a significant shift in the accountability framework, moving from purely performance-based grading to also assessing adherence to statutory requirements, creating a more comprehensive educational assessment protocol.

Summary

House Bill 79 mandates that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) implement a system to measure compliance of public schools and districts with state laws and BESE policies. The bill stipulates that each school and district will be assigned a letter grade that reflects its compliance levels. This letter grade is intended to be included in report cards distributed by the state Department of Education to parents, enhancing transparency regarding educational standards and expectations across Louisiana's schools.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 79 appears to be generally positive among education reform advocates, as it supports the ongoing effort for accountability in education. Proponents argue that providing a clear measure of compliance can help ensure that educational standards are met consistently, which ultimately benefits students. However, concerns may arise regarding the implications of these assessments and how they will affect schools that are struggling to meet compliance metrics, raising questions about potential overreach or blunt enforcement of standards without consideration of individual school contexts.

Contention

Some notable points of contention may include debates over the fairness and accuracy of compliance assessments, particularly for charter schools, which are typically exempt from certain statutory requirements. Critics may argue that the letter grading system could lead to stigmatization of schools that struggle with compliance issues, thus affecting their funding and reputation disproportionately. There's a broader discussion about balancing compliance with the need for local flexibility in educational governance, ensuring that schools are not penalized unfairly for factors outside their control.