La. Rev. Stat. § 17:191 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 191
Terms defined
Status: in_force

As used in this Subpart:

(1) "Governing authority of a nutrition program provider" means any authority which has executed an agreement or contract with the state Department of Education to participate in a nutrition program authorized by this Subpart.

(2) "Nutrition program" means a program under which meals or snacks are served by any governing authority of a nutrition program provider in this state on a nonprofit basis to individuals in attendance, including any such program under which a nutrition program provider receives assistance out of the funds appropriated by the Congress of the United States.

Amended by Acts 1950, No. 275, §1; Acts 2009, No. 279, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1832 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1832
Initial members of board; selection; term of office
Status: in_force

A. Each member of the State Board of Education created by Article XII, Section 4 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1921 whose term had not expired on December 31, 1974 who elects to become a member of the board as provided in Act 2 of the 1974 Extraordinary Session shall serve as an initial member of the board until the expiration of the term for which he was elected to the State Board of Education.

B. If any member of the State Board of Education whose term had not expired on December 31, 1974 who was elected from any one of the congressional districts does not elect to serve as a member of the board, an initial member of the board shall be appointed by the governor from the respective congressional district or districts, with the consent of the Senate, not later than ten days after the date set for the election held as provided in R.S. 17:22(B) or, if no election is required, within ten days after receipt by the governor from the secretary of state of the statement of the appointments to be made as provided in Act 2 of the 1974 Extraordinary Session.

C. If one or more members of the State Board of Education whose term had not expired on December 31, 1974, who were elected from the Public Service Commission districts do not elect to serve as members of the board, the governor shall appoint an initial member to the board from the state at large. He shall also appoint initial members, each from a different congressional district, equal in number to one less than the number of members of the State Board of Education who were elected from Public Service Commission districts who do not elect to serve on the board. In addition, the governor shall appoint one additional initial member from each of the congressional districts from which no previous appointment has been made under the provisions of this subsection, excluding the member appointed at large. Appointments made by the governor pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to Senate confirmation and shall be made not later than the final date for appointments provided in R.S. 17:22(C).

D. If the members of the State Board of Education whose terms had not expired on December 31, 1974, who were elected from Public Service Commission districts elect to serve as members of the board, the governor shall appoint an additional initial member from each of the five congressional districts of which such members are not residents and shall appoint one member from the state at large. Appointments made pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to Senate confirmation and shall be made not later than the final date for appointments provided in R.S. 17:22(C).

E. The terms of the initial members of the board shall be as follows:

(1) If a member of the State Board of Education whose term had not expired on December 31, 1974, who was elected from one of the congressional districts, elects to serve as a member of the board, his term shall expire at the time herein set forth for the respective district from which he was elected:

(a) First Congressional District--December 31, 1980;

(b) Second Congressional District--December 31, 1978;

(c) Third Congressional District--December 31, 1982;

(d) Fourth Congressional District--December 31, 1982;

(e) Fifth Congressional District--December 31, 1978;

(f) Sixth Congressional District--December 31, 1976;

(g) Seventh Congressional District--December 31, 1976;

(h) Eighth Congressional District--December 31, 1980.

(2) If a member of the State Board of Education whose term had not expired on December 31, 1974, who was elected from one of the congressional districts, does not elect to serve as a member of the board, the term of the initial member appointed from that respective district under the provisions of Subsection B of R.S. 17:1832 shall expire at the time herein set forth for the respective district from which he was appointed:

(a) First Congressional District--December 31, 1980;

(b) Second Congressional District--December 31, 1978;

(c) Third Congressional District--December 31, 1982;

(d) Fourth Congressional District--December 31, 1982;

(e) Fifth Congressional District--December 31, 1978;

(f) Sixth Congressional District--December 31, 1976;

(g) Seventh Congressional District--December 31, 1976;

(h) Eighth Congressional District--December 31, 1980.

(3) The term of each member of the board appointed from congressional districts as provided in Subsections C and D above shall expire at the time herein set forth for the respective district from which he was appointed:

(a) First Congressional District--December 31, 1978;

(b) Second Congressional District--December 31, 1976;

(c) Third Congressional District--December 31, 1976;

(d) Fourth Congressional District--December 31, 1978;

(e) Fifth Congressional District--December 31, 1980;

(f) Sixth Congressional District--December 31, 1980;

(g) Seventh Congressional District--December 31, 1980;

(h) Eighth Congressional District--December 31, 1978.

The term of the member appointed at large under the provisions of said subsections shall expire on December 31, 1976.

F. Any vacancy in the office of an initial member shall be filled as provided in R.S. 17:1831(D).

Added by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:71.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 71.7
School boards affected by federal court ordered reapportionment plans
Status: in_force

A. Each city or parish school board which is operating under a reapportionment plan which was ordered or approved by a federal court shall provide for the election of the members of the board for four-year concurrent terms, commencing at the earliest election date which does not require a reduction in the term of an incumbent member, and which will result in terms which coincide with the terms established by R.S. 17:52.

B. Each city or parish school board which on the effective date of this Section is under an order of a federal court to submit a plan for the reapportionment of the areas from which the members of the board are elected shall include in such plan provisions for the election of members of such boards for four-year concurrent terms, commencing at the earliest election date which does not require a reduction in the term of an incumbent member and which will result in terms which coincide with the terms established by R.S. 17:52.

C. To implement the four-year terms required by this Section, the school board may provide for shorter initial terms as necessary to result in election of all members to concurrent four-year terms.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 285, §6, eff. July 14, 1980.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:81.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 81.6
Investigation of employees; reporting of certain irregularities or improprieties; prohibited actions; penalties; remedies
Status: in_force

A. On or before January 1, 1989, each city and parish school board shall adopt a policy establishing the procedures for the investigation of employees accused of impermissible corporal punishment or moral offenses involving students.

B. On or before January 1, 2002, each city, parish, and other local public school board shall adopt a policy establishing uniform procedures for the investigation of employees accused of irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests.

C. Any public school employee, hereafter referred to in this Section as "employee", who has cause to believe that irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests is occurring or has occurred may report such information directly to the state Department of Education, and the department may investigate such allegations.

D.(1) No employee shall knowingly and willfully obstruct the procedures for receiving and investigating a report of irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests. Any person who violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor offense and upon conviction shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

(2) An employee may commence a civil action in a district court where the violation occurred against any employer who engages in a practice prohibited by this Subsection. If the court finds the employer in violation of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the employee may recover from the employer all damages, reasonable attorney fees, and court costs.

E.(1) No public school administrator or member of a governing authority of a public elementary or secondary school shall retaliate against an employee who in good faith participates in an investigation of irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests or reports such irregularities or improprieties to the state Department of Education or to any public school administrator or the governing authority. Any person who violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor offense and upon conviction shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

(2) For purposes of this Subsection, "retaliation" shall include all of the following:

(a) Discharging, demoting, or suspending an employee who reports any irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests.

(b) Threatening, harassing, or discriminating against an employee who reports any irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests in any manner at any time provided the report is made in good faith.

F.(1) No employee shall make a report of irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests knowing that the information therein is false. Any person who violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor offense and upon conviction shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

(2) In any action to establish damages against a person who has made a false report of irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the plaintiff shall bear the burden of proving that the person who filed the false report knew that the report was false or that the report was filed with reckless disregard for the truth of the report.

(3) A plaintiff who fails to meet his burden of proof as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection shall pay all court costs and attorney fees of the defendant.

(4) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the governing authority of a public elementary or secondary school from taking any action authorized by law as to an employee who makes a false report of irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests.

Acts 1988, No. 334, §1; Acts 2001, No. 58, §1; Acts 2010, No. 534, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3139.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3139.7
Certification of agreement by management board
Status: in_force

Any agreements between the Board of Regents and public postsecondary education institutions authorized by the Louisiana Granting Resources and Autonomy for Diplomas Act shall be certified by the respective management boards of those institutions.

Acts 2010, No. 741, §1, eff. June 29, 2010; Acts 2011, No. 418, §1, eff. July 12, 2011.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:4045 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 4045
Grant, denial, or extension of waivers
Status: in_force

A. If the requirements provided in this Chapter are met, the board may grant a waiver as requested or grant a waiver subject to specified modifications. The waiver shall be effective for a specified period of up to four years unless terminated sooner by the board.

B. The terms and conditions of any waiver granted pursuant to this Chapter shall be reduced to writing by and approved by the board and agreed to and signed by the superintendent, subject to the approval of the governing authority, in the manner prescribed by the board. The written document containing the terms and conditions of the waiver shall not constitute a contract between the board and the governing authority.

C. The board may, upon request from the governing authority and a recommendation from the department, extend the waiver period if it determines that the waiver has been effective in enabling the school to carry out the activities for which the waiver was requested and the waiver has contributed to improved quality of instruction and student academic achievement. Any such extension shall not prevent a school otherwise eligible from being subject to transfer to the Recovery School District.

Acts 2010, No. 749, §1, eff. June 29, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:81 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 81
General powers of local public school boards
Status: in_force

A.(1) Each local public school board shall serve in a policymaking capacity that is in the best interests of all students enrolled in schools under the board's jurisdiction. When establishing board policies, each board shall prioritize student achievement, financial efficiency, and workforce development on a local, regional, and statewide basis. When choosing a local superintendent of schools, each board shall select a leader who shall prioritize student achievement and act in the best interests of all students enrolled in schools under the board's jurisdiction.

(2) Each local public school board shall determine the number of schools to be opened, the location of school houses, and the number of teachers and other school personnel to be employed. The local school superintendent shall have authority to employ teachers by the month or by the year, and to fix their salaries; provided that there shall be no discrimination as to sex in the fixing thereof and provided further, that it is not the purpose of this Section to require or direct the reduction of any salary, or salary schedule, presently in force. The local school superintendent shall see that the provisions of the state school law are complied with.

(3) Each local public school board shall delegate authority for the hiring and placement of all school personnel, including those for which state certification is required to the local school superintendent. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that all persons have proper certification, as applicable, and are qualified for the position. However, at any point in the final three months of the superintendent's contract, if he has been placed on notice that the school board has voted not to offer him a new contract and an interim superintendent has been selected in accordance with R.S. 17:54, such delegation shall extend to the interim superintendent without action of the school board.

(4) Each local public school board shall adopt policies for and establish procedures which require a local school superintendent to:

(a) Delegate to the principal all decisions regarding the hiring or placement of any teacher or other personnel at the school in which the principal is employed, subject to the approval of the local school superintendent.

(b) Consult with teachers prior to making any decisions regarding the hiring or placement of a principal at the school in which such teachers are employed. Any recommendations made by teachers shall not be binding upon the superintendent but shall be considered by the superintendent when making employment decisions.

(5) Any policies and procedures adopted by a local public school board pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection shall be in accordance with all laws, all state rules, regulations, and policies relative to certification of teachers and other personnel, and any court order or restrictions relative to desegregation.

(6) The superintendent and the school principal shall make all employment- related decisions based upon performance, effectiveness, and qualifications as applicable to each specific position. Effectiveness, as determined pursuant to R.S. 17:3881 through 3905, shall be used as the primary criterion for making personnel decisions; however, in no case shall seniority or tenure be used as the primary criterion when making decisions regarding the hiring, assignment, or dismissal of teachers and other school employees.

(7)(a) Any person purporting to enter into any contract on behalf of the school district or schools under the board's jurisdiction, including but not limited to contracts with vendors or contracts of membership in any private or quasi-public entity, shall do so in compliance with policies and procedures adopted by the local public school board in effect at the time the contract is executed.

(b) The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to any contract in effect on July 31, 2016, but shall apply to any new contract or renewal or extension of an existing contract executed on or after August 1, 2016.

B. Each school board may permit school buildings to be used outside of regular school hours for academic purposes including but not limited to tutoring and study hall. The board shall adopt rules and regulations governing the terms and conditions, including fees if any, under which such buildings shall be used.

C. Each city or parish school board is authorized to make such rules and regulations for its own government, not inconsistent with law or with the regulations of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, as it may deem proper.

D.(1) The regular meetings of each city and parish school board shall be held at least once each month on such day as each board shall select. Additional regular meetings may be held as each board designates. Special meetings may be held as boards determine or as occasion may require.

(2) However, if a city or parish school board fails to hold a public meeting at least once during a calendar month, registered voters of the district may petition the board to hold a public meeting. Within five calendar days of receipt of such a petition by the president of the board or, if he is unavailable, by any other board member containing the names of at least one hundred registered voters of the district, the board shall hold a public meeting. The members of a city or parish school board that fails to meet as required by this Paragraph shall not be entitled to compensation or per diem for that month.

E.(1) Each city or parish school board shall exercise proper vigilance in securing for the schools of the district all funds destined for the support of the schools, including the state funds apportioned thereto, and all other funds.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a city or parish school board shall have the authority, if otherwise applicable, to apply for, receive, and expend funds from public and private sources that are or may be made available to certain classes of child care providers and to administer in elementary schools under the board's jurisdiction, child care programs related to such funding. Additionally, any public college or university offering preschool educational programs shall have the authority, if otherwise applicable, to apply for, receive, and expend funds from public and private sources that are or may be made available to certain classes of child care providers and to administer, in facilities under its jurisdiction, child care programs related to such funding. Nothing in this Paragraph shall be construed to affect the authority of any approved nonpublic school to apply for and administer such funds.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a city or parish school board shall have the authority, if otherwise applicable, to apply for, receive, and expend funds from public and private sources that are or may be made available for after-school child care programs and to provide for the administration in schools of programs related to such funding. Additionally, any public college or university offering preschool educational programs shall have the authority, if otherwise applicable, to apply for, receive, and expend funds from public and private sources that are or may be made available for after-school child care programs and to administer, in facilities under its jurisdiction, after-school child care programs related to such funding. Nothing in this Paragraph shall be construed to affect the authority of any approved nonpublic school to apply for and administer such funds.

F. The secretary of each city and parish school board shall keep a record of all transactions and proceedings of the board.

G. City and parish school boards may receive land by purchase or donation for the purpose of erecting school houses; provide for and secure the erection of same, construct such outbuildings and enclosures as shall be conducive to the protection of property, and make repairs and provide for the necessary furniture, equipment and apparatus.

H. City and parish school boards have the power to recover for any damage that may be done to the property in their charge; they may change the location of a school house, sell or dispose of the old site, or of any site which for any reason can no longer be used or which is unused and unnecessary or unsuitable as such, and use the proceeds thereof for procuring a new one. Provided that the Orleans Parish School Board shall have authority to prescribe the rules and regulations to govern the building, equipping and repairing of school houses, and the dates of the meetings of that board.

I. Repealed by Acts 2012, No. 1, §4, July 1, 2012.

J.(1) Each city and parish school board may purchase appropriate metal detection devices and shall provide training to school administrators consistent with that provided as required in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection if metal detectors are going to be used in the system.

(2) The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop a plan for using metal detection devices for random weapon searches in elementary and secondary schools and shall submit it to the attorney general for approval. The attorney general shall periodically review the plan as changes in the law in relation to random searches occur.

(3) The board shall provide the approved plan to each city and parish school board and shall provide training on the use of metal detectors and other techniques for weapon searches to system administrators that is consistent with the approved plan.

K.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule or regulation to the contrary, any city or parish school board member and any other person authorized pursuant to written policy of a city or parish school board shall have the right to examine any or all records of the school system except school employee records relative to evaluations, observations, formal complaints, and grievances.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule or regulation to the contrary, any city or parish school board, upon a majority vote of the authorized board membership, shall have the right to examine any or all records of the school system.

(3) Should an employee's personnel file be accessed by the city or parish school board, the employee whose file was so accessed shall receive written notice of such action, and the individual city or parish school board members shall maintain the confidentiality of any documents in the file so examined.

L. Repealed by Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 41, §2.

M.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and in addition to the authority provided by Chapter 2-A of Code Title II of Code Book III of Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 relative to the creation of a public trust, a public trust having a city or parish school board as its beneficiary may be created to be funded by surplus revenues of the beneficiary school board and with the use of income produced by the trust restricted to meeting the capital outlay needs of the school system, including but not limited to the purchase of school buses, the construction or acquisition of school buildings and facilities, or both, and the funding of nonrecurring projects to improve instructional services to students in the classroom.

(2) The provisions of Chapter 2-A of Code Title II of Code Book III of Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 applicable to the creation of a public trust having a political subdivision of the state as the trust beneficiary also shall apply to a public trust created in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection except as follows:

(a) Creation or amendment of the public trust shall not require the express approval of the State Bond Commission.

(b) The public trust shall have no authority to incur debt or issue bonds or other financial obligations.

N. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, each city, parish, or other local public school board shall adopt a policy under which the school board and school board employees may disclose education records or information from education records, without the consent of the parent or guardian of the student who is the subject of the records, to state and local law enforcement officials and other officials within the juvenile justice system. No school board or school board employee shall be liable for the disclosure of any information in accordance with a policy adopted pursuant to this Subsection. Each policy which is adopted pursuant to this Subsection shall contain or comply with each of the following provisions:

(1) The disclosure of the education records or of the information from the education records must be to state or local law enforcement officials or to other officials within the juvenile justice system.

(2) The disclosure must comply with the provisions of the policy which is adopted pursuant to this Subsection.

(3) The disclosure must relate to the ability of the juvenile justice system to serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records or whose information is to be disclosed.

(4) The officials to whom the records or the information are disclosed shall certify in writing that that person, and any agency or organization with which that person is affiliated, will keep the personally identifiable portions of the records or the information confidential and will not disclose the personally identifiable portions of the records or the information to any person or agency or organization except a person or agency or organization within the juvenile justice system who or which has an independent right to that information.

(5) Any other provisions which are necessary to comply with federal law or rules.

O.(1) Each city, parish, or other local public school board shall adopt policies and procedures providing leave with pay for any school system employee who is an elected member of the board of trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana or the board of trustees of the Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System, an elected or appointed member of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, or an appointed member of any task force, commission, or other advisory body established by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education so that such employee may attend meetings of the entity and any committees thereof on which the employee serves.

(2) The policies and procedures provided for by this Subsection may require that the employee provide notice to the school system of the dates and times of all meetings of the entity and any committees thereof on which the employee serves that are scheduled to occur on a regular basis and provide reasonable notice to the system of any special or otherwise unscheduled meeting. Such policies and procedures also may require that the employee apply for leave in a timely manner and provide documentation that the leave granted was used for the purposes for which requested.

P.(1) No board member shall act in an individual capacity to use the authority of his office or position as a member of the school board in a manner intended to interfere with, compel, or coerce any personnel decision made by the superintendent or a school principal, including the hiring, promotion, discipline, demotion, transfer, discharge, or assignment of work to any school employee. The superintendent, as the instructional leader of the district and its chief executive officer, shall have primary responsibility for personnel actions in the district.

(2) No board member shall use the authority of his office or position as a member of the school board in a manner intended to interfere with, compel, or coerce any school employee to make any decision concerning benefits, work assignment, or membership in any organization.

(3) If a board member successfully defends himself against any allegation of a violation of this Subsection, the school board shall pay attorney fees and all other legal fees associated with his defense.

Q.(1) Each city, parish, or other local public school board shall formulate, develop, adopt, and implement, by not later than November 15, 2009, policies, procedures, and practices applicable to school system employees relative to an electronic communication by an employee at a school to a student enrolled at that school.

(2) The policies, procedures, and practices required by Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, at a minimum, shall:

(a) Define electronic communication. The definition shall recognize the multiple means available for making such a communication, both those that facilitate direct communication, including but not limited to voice or text-based telecommunication devices, or both, and computers, and those that facilitate indirect communication using an intermediate method, including but not limited to Internet-based social networks.

(b) Require that all electronic communication by an employee at a school to a student enrolled at that school relative to the educational services provided to the student shall use a means provided by or otherwise made available by the school system for this purpose and prohibit the use of all such system means to electronically communicate with a student for a purpose not related to such educational services except communication with an immediate family member if such communication is specifically authorized by school board policy.

(c)(i) Specify that the occurrence of any electronic communication made by an employee at a school to a student enrolled at that school or that is received by an employee at a school from a student enrolled at that school using a means other than one provided by or made available by the school system shall be reported by the employee in a manner deemed appropriate by the school board. Records of any such reported communication shall be maintained by the school board for a period of at least one year.

(ii) In providing for the manner and frequency of reporting required by this Subparagraph, the board may authorize a school principal, or his designee, to permit an employee at the school to contact one or more specifically identified students enrolled at the school and be contacted by such student or students using a means other than one provided by or made available by the school, provided the employee has requested and received permission from the principal, or his designee, to do so and has provided documentation in writing to the principal, or his designee, stating the purpose or purposes for such contact. Such purposes may include but need not be limited to necessary communications relative to extracurricular activities, student athletic activities, community-based youth activities such as scouting, and faith-based activities such as a youth group sponsored by a religious organization.

(d) Specify that it is a duty of a school system employee to comply with the policies, procedures, and practices and provide that a failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, and in extreme circumstances may constitute willful neglect of duty.

(e) Establish and provide for the imposition of consequences for a violation of the policies, procedures, and practices, including but not limited to termination of employment in accordance with applicable provisions of state law.

(f) Provide a means for the timely reporting and investigation at the school system level of an alleged failure by a school employee to comply with the policies, procedures, or practices and for concluding such an investigation and resolving the allegation.

(g) Provide a means whereby any alleged failure by a school employee to comply with the policies, procedures, or practices that also may be a violation of state or federal law is reported to the proper authorities.

(h) Provide a means to assure that all school system employees are informed fully of the policies, procedures, and practices and the possible consequences at the school and school system level for a failure to comply.

(i) Provide a means to assure that a parent or other person responsible for a child's school attendance is fully informed of the policies, procedures, and practices.

(j) Provide a means for a parent or other person responsible for a child's school attendance to request that the child not be contacted through electronic communication by any school employee unless the purpose of such communication is directly related to the child's educational services and is sent to and received by more than one student at the school.

(3) Any city, parish, or other local public school board having existing policies, procedures, and practices relative to electronic communication by an employee at a school to a student enrolled at that school shall conduct by not later than November 15, 2009, a formal evaluation of all such policies, procedures, and practices to determine their compliance with the provisions of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection and shall take all action necessary to conform the existing policies, procedures, and practices to such requirements.

(4) No city, parish, or other local public school board or member of such a board shall be civilly liable for any electronic communication by an employee to a student that is prohibited as provided in this Subsection.

(5) For the purposes of this Subsection, the term "city, parish, or other local public school board" shall mean the governing authority of any public elementary or secondary school.

R. Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.

S.(1) In addition to any other provision of applicable law, rule, regulation, or code, each city, parish, and other local public school board shall adopt and implement policies providing for inspections by qualified persons of all fire safety and prevention equipment, including but not limited to fire alarm and smoke detection devices at each school under its jurisdiction at least twice during each school year and to require that all necessary actions be taken by appropriate persons in a timely manner to assure that all such equipment is in good working order and meets the need for which intended. Such policies shall provide, at a minimum, that any employee of the board who performs an inspection pursuant to this Subsection shall have received the appropriate training necessary to perform such inspection, and documentation of such training shall be included in the employee's personnel file.

(2) For the purposes of this Subsection, the term city, parish, and other local public school board shall mean the governing authority of any public elementary or secondary school.

(3) The provisions of this Subsection shall not be construed to require any inspection by the office of the state fire marshal in addition to those otherwise required by law, rule, or regulation.

T. Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.

U. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, a city, parish, and other local public school board shall retain all authority given by law to such boards to prescribe the duties and fix the salaries of and hold tenure hearings for all employees of such boards, as applicable.

V.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no member of a city, parish, or other local public school board shall be prohibited from requesting, in writing or in open or executive session of the board, the status of any personnel matter. The requirement that any such request be in writing or made during an open or executive session of the board shall not apply when the board member has knowledge of the possible or alleged commission of a crime by a school board employee. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no member of a city, parish, or other local public school board shall be prohibited from providing information on due process, grievance procedures, hearings, and tenure to any constituent of the member upon the constituent's request. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no member of a city, parish, or other local public school board shall be prohibited from seeking or providing information on other issues regarding the operation of schools.

(2) The provisions of this Subsection are subject to other requirements of law relative to the confidentiality of information contained in an employee's personnel files.

W.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, each city, parish, and other local public school board shall adopt a policy to require each school under its jurisdiction to provide the following:

(a) An appropriate, private room, other than a restroom, that may be used by an employee to express breast milk.

(b) A reasonable amount of break time to accommodate an employee needing to express breast milk that, to the extent possible, shall run concurrently with the break time already provided to the employee, and that shall be available to the employee for up to one year following the birth of her child.

(c) Procedures for the employee to notify her supervisor or other appropriate personnel of her intent to make use of the accommodations offered pursuant to the policy and to schedule accordingly.

(2) Any additional break time used by an employee to express breast milk as provided in this Subsection shall be considered unpaid leave time.

(3) Nothing in this Subsection shall require any new construction by a city, parish, or other local public school board nor shall its provisions result in any additional cost to the school board.

X, Y. Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.

Z.(1) Each city, parish, or other local school board shall offer its employees the opportunity to participate in the Louisiana Public Employees Deferred Compensation Plan as established by R.S. 42:1301 et seq. The requirement of this Paragraph does not prohibit a school board from offering its employees the opportunity to participate in other plans established pursuant to Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(2) Each city, parish, or other local school board to which R.S. 42:851 applies shall provide the health insurance coverage required pursuant to R.S. 42:851(U).

AA. The governing authority of each public school may require that at least one member of the coaching staff for each extracurricular sport offered by the school is certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, and the use of an automated external defibrillator.

BB.(1) Each public school governing authority shall either establish a uniform policy for student check-out that is applicable to each school under its jurisdiction or require each school principal to establish such a policy. A principal who adopts a check-out policy shall transmit the policy to the superintendent or his designee for approval.

(2) The superintendent or his designee shall review any policy established pursuant to this Subsection at least every three years.

CC. Each public school governing authority shall establish a policy that includes the following procedures for carpool and bus lines at any school that includes any of the grades kindergarten through five:

(1) Students shall remain a safe distance from the pick-up area behind something material or immaterial intended to block passage, as deemed appropriate for the particular school building.

(2) Students shall wait in the pick-up area and wait for vehicles to come to a complete stop.

(3) A student being dropped off shall remain in the appropriate passenger restraint until the vehicle in which the student is a passenger comes to a complete stop.

(4) A student in grades kindergarten through three shall be accompanied by a school employee while the student is walking to and from a pick-up area.

(5) School administrators shall post signage regarding the carpool and bus line policy.

Acts 1954, No. 452, §1; Acts 1976, No. 411, §1; Acts 1985, No. 603, §1, eff. July 13, 1985; Acts 1985, No. 565, §1; eff. July 12, 1985; Acts 1991, No. 521, §1, eff. July 15, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 881, §1, eff. July 23, 1991; Acts 1992, No. 425, §1; Acts 1993, No. 287, §1, eff. June 2, 1993; Acts 1993, No. 647, §1; Acts 1995, No. 261, §1, eff. June 14, 1995; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 42, §1; Acts 2001, No. 134, §1; Acts 2003, No. 376, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2003, No. 740, §1; Acts 2004, No. 748, §1; Acts 2006, No. 774, §1, eff. June 30, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 214, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 284, §2, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 413, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 321, §1, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 720, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 41, §2, eff. June 12, 2011; Acts 2012, No. 1, §§1, 4, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 591, §1, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 87, §1; Acts 2013, No. 329, §1; Acts 2014, No. 506, §1; Acts 2014, No. 517, §1; Acts 2014, No. 525, §1; Acts 2014, No. 547, §1, eff. June 9, 2014; Acts 2015, No. 297, §1; Acts 2016, No. 80, §2; Acts 2016, No. 149, §2; Acts 2016, No. 234, §1; Acts 2016, No. 347, §1; Acts 2019, No. 21, §1; Acts 2020, No. 292, §1; Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 32, §1, eff. Oct. 28, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 180, §1, eff. May 31, 2022; Acts 2022, No. 325, §1; Acts 2023, No. 362, §1; Acts 2024, No. 686, §2, eff. June 19, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:416 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 416
Discipline of students; suspension; expulsion
Status: in_force

A.(1)(a) All public schools shall endeavor to address student behavior with a focus on evidence-based interventions and supports. Schools shall endeavor to prioritize classroom- and school-based interventions in lieu of out-of-school disciplinary removals to address student misconduct in order to minimize the loss of academic instructional time. Every teacher and other school employee shall endeavor to hold every student accountable for his behavior in school or on the playgrounds of the school, on the street or road while going to or returning from school, on any school bus, during intermission or recess, or at any school-sponsored activity or function. Nothing in this Subparagraph shall prohibit a public school governing authority or its employees from disciplining a student in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

(b)(i) Each teacher and school employee may take disciplinary action to correct a student who violates school rules or who interferes with an orderly education process. No principal or administrator shall prohibit or discourage a teacher or school employee from taking disciplinary action, recommending disciplinary action, or completing a form to initiate disciplinary action against a student who violates school policy or who interferes with an orderly education process. No principal or administrator shall retaliate or take adverse employment action against a teacher or school employee for taking disciplinary action against a student. The provisions of this Item shall apply only if the disciplinary action that the teacher or school employee takes is in accordance with policy adopted by the public school governing authority.

(ii) In addition to those procedures set forth in R.S. 17:416.14 regarding bullying, disciplinary action by a school employee may include but is not limited to:

(aa) Oral or written reprimands.

(bb) Referral for a counseling session which shall include but shall not be limited to conflict resolution, social responsibility, family responsibility, peer mediation, and stress management.

(cc) Written notification to parents of disruptive or unacceptable behavior, a copy of which shall be provided to the principal.

(dd) Other disciplinary measures approved by the principal and faculty of the school and in compliance with school board policy.

(c)(i) When a student's behavior prevents the orderly instruction of other students or poses an immediate threat to the safety or physical well-being of any student or teacher or when a student violates the school's code of conduct, the teacher shall have the student immediately removed from his classroom and placed in the custody of the principal or his designee.

(ii)(aa) Upon being sent to the principal's office pursuant to the provisions of this Subparagraph, the principal or his designee shall advise the student of the particular misconduct of which he is accused as well as the basis for such accusation, and the student shall be given an opportunity at that time to explain his version of the facts. The principal or his designee then shall conduct a counseling session with the student as may be appropriate to establish a course of action consistent with school board policy to identify and correct the behavior for which the student is being disciplined.

(bb) The principal or his designee shall provide oral or written notification to the parent or legal guardian of any student removed from the classroom pursuant to the provisions of this Subparagraph. Such notification shall include a description of any disciplinary action taken.

(cc) The principal or his designee may provide oral or written feedback to teachers initiating the removal of students from the classroom. The principal or his designee may provide to such teachers guidance and support on practicing effective classroom management including but not limited to positive behavior supports.

(dd) The principal or designee shall follow all procedures set forth in R.S. 17:416.14 regarding bullying.

(iii) A student in kindergarten through grade five removed from a class pursuant to this Subparagraph shall not be permitted to return to the class for at least thirty minutes unless agreed to by the teacher initiating the disciplinary action. A student in grades six through twelve removed from a class pursuant to this Subparagraph shall not be permitted to return to the class during the same class period unless agreed to by the teacher initiating the disciplinary action. Additionally, the student shall not be readmitted to the class until the principal has implemented at least one of the following disciplinary measures:

(aa) Conferencing with the principal or his designee.

(bb) Referral to counseling.

(cc) Peer mediation.

(dd) Referral to the school building level committee.

(ee) Restorative justice practices.

(ff) Loss of privileges.

(gg) Detention.

(hh) In-school suspension.

(ii) Out-of-school suspension.

(jj) Initiation of expulsion hearings.

(kk) Referral for assignment to an alternative setting.

(ll) Requiring the completion of all assigned school work and homework that would have been assigned and completed by the student during the period of out-of-school suspension.

(mm) Any other disciplinary measure authorized by the principal with the concurrence of the teacher or the school building level committee pursuant to law and board policy.

(iv) When a student is removed from a classroom pursuant to this Subparagraph, the teacher or the principal or his designee may require that the parent or legal guardian of the student have a conference with the teacher or the principal or his designee. Such conference may be in person or by telephone or other virtual means.

(v) Upon the third removal from the same classroom pursuant to this Subparagraph, the teacher and the principal shall discuss the disruptive behavior patterns of the student and the potentially appropriate disciplinary measure before the principal implements a disciplinary measure. In addition, a conference between the teacher or other appropriate school employee and the student's parent or legal guardian is required prior to the student being readmitted to that same classroom. Such conference may be in person or by telephone or other virtual means. If such conference is required by the school, the school shall give written notice to the parent.

(vi)(aa) For students who experience multiple behavioral incidents or disciplinary referrals, a principal or his designee shall consider a referral of the matter to an appropriate school building level committee. If disruptive behavior persists, the teacher may request that the principal transfer the student into another setting.

(bb) Each city, parish, or other local public school board may adopt a policy that requires the parent or legal guardian of a student removed from the classroom pursuant to this Subparagraph to attend after school or Saturday intervention sessions with the student. Such a policy, if adopted, shall be enumerated in the code of conduct and shall include accommodations for parents and legal guardians who demonstrate a documented inability to attend due to work or disability or other health matters pertaining to the parent or legal guardian or a family member under his care. The school board may refer a parent who fails to attend such session to the court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with Chapter 2 of Title VII of the Children's Code. Each time a parent is referred to the court of competent jurisdiction, the court may impose a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars and not more than two hundred fifty dollars, forty hours of court-approved school or community service activities, or a combination of forty hours of court-approved school or community service and attendance at a court-approved family counseling program by both a parent or legal guardian and the student, and may suspend any recreational license issued by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

(vii)(aa) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, whenever a student is formally accused of violating the provisions of R.S. 14:34.3 or school disciplinary rules, or both, by committing a battery on any school employee or is formally accused of violating the provisions of R.S. 14:38.2 or school disciplinary rules, or both, by committing an assault on any school employee, the principal shall suspend the student from school immediately and the student shall be removed immediately from the school premises without the benefit of the out-of-school suspension procedures provided by this Section; however, the necessary notifications and other procedures shall be implemented as soon as is practicable.

(bb) No student suspended in accordance with the provisions of this Item shall be considered for readmission to the school to which the school employee, allegedly assaulted or battered, or both, by the student, is assigned until all hearings and appeals associated with the alleged violation have been exhausted.

(cc) Except when the school system has no other school of suitable grade level for the student to attend, no student found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction of violating the provisions of R.S. 14:34.3 or 38.2, or both, or found guilty at a school system suspension hearing of committing a battery or assault on any school employee, or both, shall be assigned to attend or shall attend the school to which the school employee battered or assaulted by the student is assigned.

(dd) Notwithstanding any provision of R.S. 17:158 to the contrary, a school system shall not be required to provide transportation to any student reassigned to attend a school pursuant to the provisions of this Item if providing such transportation for the student will result in additional transportation costs to the school system.

(2) As used in this Section:

(a) "Bullying" is defined in R.S. 17:416.14.

(b)(i) "Detention" means activities, assignments, or work held before the normal school day, after the normal school day, or on weekends.

(ii) Failure or refusal by a student to participate in assigned detention may subject the student to immediate out-of-school suspension.

(iii) Assignments, activities, or work which may be assigned during detention include but are not limited to counseling, homework assignments, behavior modification programs, or other activities aimed at improving the behavior and conduct of the student.

(iv) Each city, parish, or other local public school board shall adopt rules regarding the implementation of detention.

(c) Unless otherwise defined as a permanent expulsion and except as otherwise provided by Subsections B and C of this Section, "expulsion" shall be defined as a removal from all regular school settings for a period of not less than one school semester. During an expulsion the superintendent shall place the student in an alternative school or in an alternative educational placement.

(d) "Firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, black powder weapon, or assault rifle that is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.

(e)(i) "In-school suspension" means removing a student from his normal classroom setting but maintaining him under supervision within the school. Students participating in in-school suspension shall receive credit for work performed during the in-school suspension. However, any student who fails to comply fully with the rules for in-school suspension may be subject to immediate out-of-school suspension.

(ii) Each city, parish, or other local public school board shall adopt rules regarding the implementation of in-school suspension.

(f) "Out-of-school suspension" means the removal of a student from all classes of instruction on public school grounds and all other school-sponsored activities.

(3)(a) A school principal may suspend from school or suspend from riding on any school bus any student who:

(i) Is guilty of willful disobedience.

(ii) Treats a teacher, principal, superintendent, member, or employee of the city, parish, or other local public school board with intentional disrespect.

(iii) Makes against any one of them an unfounded charge.

(iv) Uses unchaste or profane language.

(v) Is guilty of immoral or vicious practices, or of conduct or habits injurious to his associates.

(vi) Uses tobacco or who possesses alcoholic beverages or any controlled dangerous substance governed by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, in any form, in school buildings, on school grounds, or on school buses owned by, contracted to, or jointly owned by any city, parish, or other local public school board.

(vii) Disturbs the school and habitually violates any rule.

(viii) Cuts, defaces, or injures any part of public school buildings, any property belonging to the buildings, or any school buses owned by, contracted to, or jointly owned by any city, parish, or other local public school board.

(ix) Writes any profane or obscene language or draws obscene pictures in or on any school material or on any public school premises, or on any fence, pole, sidewalk, or building on the way to or from school, or on any school bus, including those owned by, contracted to, or jointly owned by any city, parish, or other local public school board.

(x) Is found carrying firearms, knives, or other implements which can be used as weapons, the careless use of which might inflict harm or injury.

(xi) Throws missiles liable to injure other persons on the school grounds or while on any school bus, including those owned by, contracted to, or jointly owned by any city, parish, or other local public school board.

(xii) Instigates or participates in fights while under school supervision.

(xiii) Violates traffic and safety regulations.

(xiv) Leaves the school premises without permission.

(xv) Leaves his classroom during class hours or detention without permission.

(xvi) Is habitually tardy or absent.

(xvii) Has engaged in bullying.

(xviii) Commits any other serious offense.

(b)(i) Prior to any out-of-school suspension, assignment to alternative placement, or expulsion, the school principal or his designee shall advise the student in question of the particular misconduct of which he is accused as well as the basis for such accusation, and the student shall be given an opportunity at that time to explain his version of the facts to the school principal or his designee. In each case of out-of-school suspension, assignment to alternative placement, or expulsion, the school principal or his designee shall contact, by telephone at the telephone number shown on the student's registration card or by electronic communication or a certified letter sent to the address shown on the student's registration card, the parent or legal guardian of the student in question giving notice of the out-of-school suspension, assignment to alternative placement, or expulsion, the reasons therefor, and establishing a date and time for a conference with the principal or his designee as a requirement for readmitting the student. In the case of expulsion, the contact with the parent or guardian shall include a certified letter. If the parent or legal guardian fails to attend the required conference within five school days of mailing the certified letter or other contact with the parent, the truancy laws shall become effective. On not more than one occasion each school year when the parent or legal guardian refuses to respond, the principal may determine whether readmitting the student is in the best interest of the student. On any subsequent occasions in the same year, the student shall not be readmitted unless the parent, legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds. A student whose presence in or about a school poses a continued danger to any person or property or an ongoing threat of disruption to the academic process shall be immediately removed from the school premises without the benefit of the procedure described in this Item; however, the necessary procedure shall follow as soon as is practicable.

(ii)(aa) If a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized by this Section to require the parent or legal guardian of a student to attend a conference or meeting regarding the student's behavior and, after notice, the parent or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or his designee shall file a complaint with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction, pursuant to Children's Code Articles 730(8) and 731. The principal may file a complaint pursuant to Children's Code Article 730(1) or any other applicable ground when, in his judgment, doing so is in the best interests of the student.

(bb) The principal, assistant principal, or child attendance and welfare supervisor or his assistant of any school, public or nonpublic, shall be a representative of an agency having the responsibility or ability to supply services to a family as that phrase is used in Children's Code Article 731(A).

(c) Any parent or legal guardian of a student suspended shall have the right to appeal to the local superintendent of schools or his designee, who shall conduct a hearing on the merits. The decision of the superintendent of schools on the merits of the case, as well as the term of the out-of-school suspension, shall be final, reserving to the superintendent of schools the right to remit any portion of the time of the out-of-school suspension.

(d) A student suspended for damage to any property belonging to the school system or to property contracted to the school system or any property on school grounds owned by a school employee or student shall not be readmitted until payment in full has been made for such damage, an alternative restitution arrangement has been executed, an alternative payment plan has been arranged, or until directed by the superintendent of schools. If the property damaged is a school bus owned by, contracted to, or jointly owned by any city, parish, or other local public school board, a student suspended for such damage shall not be permitted to enter or ride any school bus until payment in full has been made for such damage, an alternative restitution arrangement has been executed, an alternative payment plan has been arranged, or until directed by the superintendent of schools.

(e) A student who is suspended for ten days or fewer shall be assigned school work missed while he is suspended and shall receive the same credit originally available for such work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the principal or his designee, upon the recommendation of the student's teacher. A student who is suspended for more than ten days, or is expelled and receives educational services at an alternative school site, shall be assigned work by a certified teacher and shall receive credit for school work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the teacher. Such work shall be aligned with the curriculum used at the school from which the student was suspended or expelled.

(f) When a student is suspended for a second time within one school year, the principal may require that a counseling session be held with the parent and student by the school counselor if a counselor is assigned or available to that school. In the event there is no school counselor assigned to that school, the principal may require a conference between the parent, student, and all of the student's teachers and the principal or other administrator.

(4) The governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary to implement the provisions of this Subsection and of R.S. 17:416.14. Such rules and regulations shall include but not be limited to the following provisions:

(a) A procedure permitting any teacher or other school employee to report any violation of the provisions of this Subsection to the appropriate school principal. The procedure shall provide for the uniform use throughout the school system of two forms to report incidents of alleged discipline violations. One form shall be used to report only school transportation-related incidents and one form shall be used to report all other incidents.

(i) The form for reporting a transportation-related incident shall provide for the following information:

(aa) Bus number and name of operator.

(bb) Student name and grade level.

(cc) School name and name of the principal.

(dd) Date of the incident and whether it occurred on the way to or on the way from the school or school function.

(ee) A menu of check-off items to indicate the nature of the incident, including fighting or bullying at the bus stop, fighting or bullying on the bus, smoking on the bus, leaving the bus without permission, boarding the bus at the incorrect stop, showing disrespect toward the operator, committing an immoral or vicious act, throwing objects within the bus or out of bus windows or doors, refusing to occupy an assigned seat, using profane language, showing willful disobedience, defacing the bus, carrying objects or implements which can be used as weapons, or committing some other undesignated violation.

(ff) Space to provide specific remarks and comments concerning the incident and alleged discipline violation.

(gg) Space to indicate a student's prior history of discipline violations related to school transportation incidents.

(hh) A statement to be signed and dated by the bus operator or other school employee, if applicable, that the named student is causing a discipline problem, that disciplinary action against the student is recommended, and that the signatory desires to be informed of action taken on the incident report or the reasons for not taking action.

(ii) A space to report action taken on the incident report, including a menu of check-off items to indicate that a parent or other person responsible for the student's school attendance has been contacted, that a conference has been conducted with the student's parent or other responsible person, that the student has been reprimanded, that the student has been suspended from receiving school transportation services and for what period of time, that the student has been suspended from school and for what period of time, or that some other action has been taken and an explanation of such action. The report on action taken shall be dated and signed by the school principal.

(jj) Space for comments and remarks by the student or a student's parent or other responsible person concerning the incident and action taken.

(kk) A menu of check-off items to indicate that copies of the completed document have been supplied to the student's parent or other responsible person, the school's student file, the school employee filing the incident report, the supervisor of transportation services for the school system, and the principal.

(ll) Such other information as may be determined by the city, parish, or other local public school board.

(ii) The form for reporting a nontransportation-related incident shall provide for the following information:

(aa) School name.

(bb) Name and telephone number of the student.

(cc) Indication of whether the student is in regular or special education and the student's homeroom number.

(dd) Time and location of the incident.

(ee) Space to provide specific remarks and comments concerning the incident and alleged discipline violation.

(ff) A menu of check-off items indicating action taken by the teacher, including having a conference with the student; assigning remedial work; referring the student to a counselor, social worker, or certified school psychologist; placing the student in detention; or taking other action with an explanation of such other action.

(gg) A menu of check-off items indicating the type and date of contact with the student's parent or other person responsible for the student's school attendance, including by phone, by letter, by school conference, or by behavior reports.

(hh) A space for recommendations from the teacher or other school employee initiating the incident report.

(ii) A statement to be signed and dated by the teacher or other school employee initiating the incident report that the named student is causing a discipline problem, that disciplinary action against the student is recommended, and that the signatory desires to be informed of action taken on the incident report or the reasons for not taking action.

(jj) A space to report action taken on the incident report, including a menu of check-off items to indicate contact with the student's parent or other responsible person, conduct of a conference with the student and the student's parent or other responsible person and a summary of conference proceedings, referral to a counselor, issuance of a reprimand, placement on detention, placement on probation, suspension, or that some other action has been taken and an explanation of such action. The report on action taken shall be dated and signed by the school principal.

(kk) Space for comments and remarks by the student or a student's parent or other responsible person concerning the incident and action taken.

(ll) A menu of check-off items to indicate that copies of the completed document have been supplied to the student's parent or other responsible person, the school's student file, the teacher or other school employee filing the incident report, and the principal.

(mm) Such other information as may be determined by the city, parish, or other local public school board.

(iii) The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop the forms necessary to implement the provisions of this Subparagraph and such forms shall be used by each city, parish, or other local public school board.

(b) Procedures implementing the provisions of R.S. 17:416.14 regarding bullying.

(c) A procedure requiring that, within a reasonable period of time, a principal shall review any such report and then act upon it as provided by this Section, or R.S. 17:416.14, or explain the reasons for failing to act to the local superintendent of schools or his designee and to the teacher, other school employee, student, parent, or legal guardian reporting the violation.

(5) The provisions of this Subsection shall not be construed to conflict with any federal or state rules or regulations or other guidelines, including but not limited to those affecting students with exceptionalities as defined in R.S. 17:1941 et seq.

(6) In carrying out the provisions of this Section, school employees and administrators shall account for and abide by any relevant provisions contained in the Individualized Education Program, Behavior Intervention Plan, or Section 504 Plan, as well as the general requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

B.(1)(a) Any student, after being suspended for committing any of the offenses enumerated in this Section, may be expelled upon recommendation by the principal of the public school in which the student is enrolled, which recommended expulsion shall be subject to the provisions of Subsection C of this Section.

(b)(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, the principal or his designee shall immediately suspend a student who is found carrying or possessing a firearm or another dangerous instrumentality other than a knife, or who possesses, distributes, sells, gives, or loans any controlled dangerous substance governed by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, in any form. The principal or his designee shall immediately recommend the student's expulsion in accordance with Subsection C of this Section.

(ii)(aa) Except as provided in Item (c)(i) of this Paragraph, no student shall be permitted to carry or possess a knife of any blade length.

(bb) A student who is found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade less than two and one-half inches in length may be suspended by the school principal as provided in Paragraph (A)(3) of this Section; however, in appropriate cases such student, at a minimum, shall be placed in in-school suspension.

(cc) The principal shall immediately suspend a student who is found carrying or possessing a knife the blade of which equals or exceeds two and one-half inches in length. He also shall immediately recommend the student's expulsion in accordance with Subsection C of this Section, except that in the case of a student less than eleven years of age in pre-kindergarten through grade five, the principal may recommend the student's expulsion in accordance with Subsection C of this Section.

(c) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the following:

(i) A student carrying or possessing a firearm or knife for purposes of involvement in a school class or course or school-approved cocurricular or extracurricular activity or any other activity approved by the appropriate school officials.

(ii) A student possessing any controlled dangerous substance governed by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law that has been obtained directly or pursuant to a valid prescription or order from a licensed medical provider. However, the student shall carry evidence of the prescription or medical provider's order on his person at all times when in possession of any controlled dangerous substance which shall be subject to verification. Evidence of the prescription or medical provider's order includes possession of the controlled dangerous substance in its original packaging as received from the pharmacy.

(2) Any student who has been suspended on three occasions for committing any of the offenses enumerated in this Subsection or Subsection C of this Section during the same school year shall, upon committing the fourth such offense, be expelled from all of the public schools of the city, parish, or other local public school system wherein he resided until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the student's reinstatement shall be subject to the review and approval of the city, parish, or other local public school board.

(3)(a)(i) No student who has been expelled pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be admitted to any public school in any other city, parish, or other local public school system in the state except upon the review and approval of the school board of the school system to which he seeks admittance.

(ii) No student who has been expelled from any public or nonpublic school outside the state of Louisiana or any nonpublic school within Louisiana for committing any of the offenses enumerated in this Section shall be admitted to any public school in the state except upon the review and approval of the governing body of the admitting school.

(b) No student who has been expelled pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph (C)(2) of this Section shall be readmitted to a regular public school in the city, parish, or other local public school system from which he was expelled prior to the completion of the specified period of expulsion at the school system's alternative education setting, unless he has complied with the provisions of Subparagraph (C)(2)(d) of this Section.

(c) To facilitate the review and approval mandated by this Paragraph, any student who has been expelled from any public or nonpublic school within or outside the state of Louisiana shall provide to any public school or school system in the state to which the student is seeking admission information on the dates of any expulsions and the reason or reasons for which the student was expelled. Additionally, the transfer of a student's records by any public school or school system in the state to any other public or nonpublic school or school system shall include information on the dates of any expulsions and the reason or reasons for which the student was expelled.

(d)(i) No student who has been expelled from any public or nonpublic school within or outside the state of Louisiana for possessing on school property or on a school bus a firearm, knife, or other dangerous weapon or instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, or for possessing, possessing with intent to distribute, or distributing, selling, giving, or loaning while on school property or on a school bus any controlled dangerous substance governed by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law may be admitted to any public elementary or secondary school in the state, or readmitted to any such school on a probationary basis prior to the completion of the minimum period of expulsion as provided in Subsection C of this Section, until the student produces written documentation that he and his parent or legal guardian have enrolled and participated in an appropriate rehabilitation or counseling program related to the reason or reasons for the student's expulsion.

(ii) The rehabilitation or counseling required by the provisions of this Subparagraph shall be provided by existing or new programs approved by the juvenile or family court having jurisdiction, if applicable, or by the school system and shall be at no additional cost to the school system. Such rehabilitation or counseling programs may include the following components relative to successful programs, approaches, and activities for parental involvement which better equip parents and legal guardians to provide support for the education of their children:

(aa) Enhancing parenting skills and expanding curriculum offerings relative to character development, the development of a healthy self-esteem and sense of personal and social responsibility, violence prevention, and conflict resolution.

(bb) Raising the educational level of the parents and legal guardians of public school students through instruction in basic skills.

(cc) Improving developmental skills of students to prepare them for academic success.

(dd) Providing a role model for the child through parental interest in education.

(ee) Enabling parents and legal guardians to become familiar with and comfortable in the school setting.

(ff) Enhancing the relationship of the parent or legal guardian and child through planned, structured parent-school interaction.

(gg) Demonstrating to parents and legal guardians their power to affect their child's ability to learn.

(iii) The requirements of this Subparagraph for a student's enrollment and participation in a rehabilitation or counseling program shall be waived by the school system upon a documented showing by the student that no appropriate program is available in the area or that the student cannot enroll or participate due to financial hardship.

(iv) The provisions of this Subparagraph shall be applicable to students provided special education services pursuant to Part I of Chapter 8 of this Title and to students who have an Individualized Education Program or a Section 504 Individualized Accommodation Plan only to the extent the provisions are not in conflict with federal rules, regulations, and guidelines applicable to the education of students with exceptionalities or the provisions of the students' specific plans.

C.(1) Upon the recommendation by a principal for the expulsion of any student as authorized by Subsection B of this Section or a school board's code of conduct, a hearing shall be conducted by the superintendent or his designee within fifteen school days to determine the facts of the case and make a finding of whether or not the student is guilty of conduct warranting a recommendation of expulsion. The school board shall provide written notice of the hearing to the student and his parent or legal guardian, and such notice shall advise the student and his parent or legal guardian of their rights. Upon the conclusion of the hearing and upon a finding that the student is guilty of conduct warranting expulsion, the superintendent or his designee shall determine whether such student shall be expelled from the school system or if other corrective or disciplinary action shall be taken. At the hearing, the principal or teacher concerned may be represented by any person appointed by the superintendent. The concerned teacher shall be permitted to attend such hearing and shall be permitted to present information the teacher believes relevant. Until such hearing takes place, the student shall remain suspended from the school with access to classwork and the opportunity to earn academic credit. At such hearing, the student may be represented by any person of his choice. A student who is expelled or suspended for longer than ten days shall be provided with academic instruction at an alternative setting in accordance with R.S. 17:416.2.

(2)(a)(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection B of this Section and except as provided in Item (ii) of this Subparagraph, any student in grades six through twelve who is found guilty of being in possession of a firearm, a knife with a blade equal to or in excess of two and one-half inches in length, or any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing as provided for by Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of two complete school semesters and shall be referred to the district attorney for appropriate action. However, the superintendent may modify the length of such minimum expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis, provided that such modification is in writing.

(ii) A student found guilty of being in possession of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, or any chemical derivative thereof shall not be subject to the provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph unless it is the second or subsequent occurrence.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection B of this Section, any student in grades six through twelve found guilty of being in possession of tobacco, alcohol, or vaping product or found guilty on the first occurrence of being in possession of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, or any chemical derivative thereof on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event may be recommended for expulsion.

(c) Notwithstanding any public school state or local policies, a public school student in grades six through twelve who is suspended a third time within the same school year for any offense, excluding those related to dress codes or tardiness, shall be recommended for expulsion.

(d)(i) Any student expelled from school may be readmitted on a probationary basis to school at any time during the specified period of expulsion on such terms and conditions as may be stipulated by the city, parish, or other local public school superintendent and agreed to in writing by the student and by the student's parent or other person responsible for the student's school attendance. However, any such written agreement shall include a provision that upon the school principal or superintendent of schools making a determination that the student has violated any term or condition agreed to, the student shall be immediately removed from the school premises without the benefit of any hearing or other procedure applicable to student out-of-school suspensions and expulsions and returned to the school system's alternative school setting. As soon thereafter as possible, the principal or his designee shall provide verbal notice to the superintendent of schools of any such determination and also shall attempt to provide such verbal notice to the student's parent or other person responsible for the student's school attendance. The principal or his designee also shall provide written notice of the determination and the reasons therefor to the superintendent and to the student's parent or other responsible person.

(ii) Any student expelled pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection or Subsection B of this Section seeking readmission on a probationary basis prior to the end of the specified period of expulsion shall also comply with the provisions of Subparagraph (B)(3)(d) of this Section.

(iii) The provisions of this Subparagraph shall not be applicable to any student found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, or adjudicated a delinquent by a court of competent jurisdiction, of a criminal violation of any provision of Title 14 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 which is related to the reason for the suspension, unless the judge finds otherwise.

(3)(a) Any student arrested for possession of, or intentional distribution of, or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property shall be referred by the school principal or his designee, within five days after such arrest, for testing or screening by a qualified medical professional for evidence of abuse of alcohol, illegal narcotics, drugs, or other controlled dangerous substances.

(b) If evidence of abuse is found, the principal or his designee shall refer the student to an alcohol and drug abuse treatment professional chosen by the student's parent or legal guardian. If the student is found by the professional to be in need of treatment, and if the student agrees to cooperate in the recommended treatment, as certified in writing by the medical professional, such documentation may be used to initiate reopening the student's case. The school board shall take into consideration the student's agreement to receive treatment as a positive factor in the final decision relative to any final disciplinary action.

(4) The parent or legal guardian of the student who has been recommended for expulsion pursuant to this Section may, within five days after the decision is rendered, submit a request to the city, parish, or other local public school board to review the findings of the superintendent or his designee at a time set by the school board; otherwise the decision of the superintendent shall be final. If requested as provided in this Paragraph, and after reviewing the findings of the superintendent or his designee, the school board may affirm, modify, or reverse the action previously taken. The parent or legal guardian of the student shall have such right of review even if the recommendation for expulsion is reduced to a suspension. Each school board's code of conduct shall include information detailing the appeal process provided in this Paragraph and Subparagraph (5)(a) of this Subsection.

(5)(a) The parent or legal guardian of the student who has been recommended for expulsion pursuant to this Section may, within ten school days, appeal to the district court for the parish in which the student's school is located, an adverse ruling of the school board in upholding the action of the superintendent or his designee. The court may reverse or revise the ruling of the school board upon a finding that the ruling of the board was based on an absence of any relevant evidence in support thereof. The parent or legal guardian of the student shall have such right to appeal to the district court even if the recommendation for expulsion is reduced to a suspension.

(b) If a judgment is rendered in favor of a student who sought judicial review of a decision of a school board pursuant to this Paragraph, the judgment may include an award for reasonable attorney fees if the court finds any school official acted in a grossly negligent manner; with deliberate disregard for the consequences of his actions to the student; with willful or malicious indifference; with intent to deprive the student, his parent, guardian, or tutor of due process; or initiated a charge that is knowingly false. The court may award any damages appropriate under the circumstances and render any other appropriate relief including but not limited to requiring the school board to issue an official apology letter, which shall be provided to the student, his parent, legal guardian, or tutor, and retained in the student's educational records.

D.(1) The conviction of any student of a felony or the incarceration of any student in a juvenile institution for an act which had it been committed by an adult would have constituted a felony may be cause for expulsion of the student for a period of time as determined by the board. The expulsion shall require the vote of two-thirds of the elected members of the school board, shall not be for a period of time longer than the student's period of adjudication as determined by the applicable court presiding over the student's criminal matter, and shall run concurrent to the student's period of disposition. If the student was serving an expulsion period when the student was incarcerated for a separate offense and the student completes the period of incarceration with time left in the expulsion period, the superintendent or his designee may require the student to serve the time left in the expulsion period.

(2) The conviction of any student of a felony or the incarceration of any student in a juvenile institution for an act, whether the act is committed in this state or outside this state, which had it been committed by an adult would have constituted a felony in this state may be sufficient cause for any superintendent to refuse admission of the student to any school except upon review and approval of a majority of the elected members of the school board when request for admission is made to the board.

E. The provisions of this Section shall be applicable to students with exceptionalities provided special education services pursuant to Part I of Chapter 8 of this Title or to students who have an Individualized Education Program or a Section 504 Individualized Accommodation Plan to the maximum extent allowed by federal law and rules applicable to the education of students with exceptionalities in the state. No policy adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education applicable to students with exceptionalities as provided in this Subsection shall be more restrictive than required by federal law and rules.

F. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, school officials shall have total discretion and shall exercise such discretion in imposing on a student any disciplinary actions authorized by this Section for possession by a student of a firearm or knife on school property when such firearm or knife is stored in a motor vehicle and there is no evidence of the student's intent to use the firearm or knife in a criminal manner.

G. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall formulate, develop, adopt, and fully implement methods and procedures for use as part of the board's school approval process to determine whether or not state laws and board policies regarding student discipline are being fully complied with by a school's administrators, teachers, and other employees. Any school determined not to be in compliance with such laws and procedures shall not be approved. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to nonpublic schools.

H.(1) No student shall be disciplined in any manner by the governing authority of a public elementary or secondary school or by any public elementary or secondary school administrator, teacher, or other school employee for the use of force upon another person when it can be reasonably concluded that the use of such force more probably than not was committed solely for the purpose of preventing a forcible offense against the student or a forcible offense provided that the force used shall be reasonable and apparently necessary to prevent such offense.

(2) A student who is the aggressor or who brings on a difficulty cannot claim the right provided by this Subsection to defend himself.

I.(1) Any public school administrator and any administrator's designee who is required to make a recommendation, decide an issue, or take action in a matter involving the discipline of a student shall both recuse themselves from doing so whenever a member of the immediate family of the school administrator or of the administrator's designee is involved in any manner in the recommendation to be made, the issue to be decided, or the action to be taken. In case of such recusal, the recommendation shall be made by, the issued decided by, or the action taken by the superintendent or an impartial designee of the superintendent.

(2) For the purposes of this Subsection, immediate family means the individual's children, brothers, sisters, parents, and spouse and the children, brothers, sisters, and parents of the spouse.

J. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section or any other provision of law, a student enrolled in grades prekindergarten through five shall not be suspended or expelled from school or suspended from riding on any school bus for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.

K. For the purposes of this Section, "virtual instruction" means instruction provided to a student through an electronic delivery medium including but not limited to electronic learning platforms that connect to a student in a remote location to classroom instruction. A city, parish, or other local public school board discipline policy shall clearly define the rules of conduct and expectations of students engaged in virtual instruction, shall provide for notice of such rules and expectations to the parents and guardians of students, shall include clearly defined consequences of conduct, shall be narrowly tailored to address compelling government interests, and shall take into consideration the students' and their families' rights to privacy and other constitutional rights while at home or in a location that is not school property. The provisions of this Section related to mandatory recommendation for expulsion shall not be applied to virtual instruction received by a student in the student's home.

L. Each city, parish, or other local public school board shall maintain and administer student codes of conduct that meet the minimum requirements of the model master discipline plan as provided in R.S. 17:252. Codes of conduct shall include progressive levels of minor through major infractions and identify corresponding minor through major interventions and consequences. Before an initial referral for a student's expulsion, codes of conduct shall require the prior administration of interventions in accordance with the minor tiers in the code of conduct, except in instances where the expulsion referral is the result of accumulated minor infractions in accordance with the code of conduct, or the underlying incident threatens the safety and health of students or staff. Expulsions shall be reserved for the major tier of behavioral infractions involving weapons or drugs, or when the safety of students and staff has been put in jeopardy.

M. The state Department of Education shall publish annually and publish on its website data regarding disciplinary removals disaggregated at the state, system, and school level and also disaggregated and capable of cross-tabulation by the characteristics of gender, race, disability, English language learner status, and economically disadvantaged status. In reporting such data, the department shall comply with all federal and state privacy laws and shall strive to ensure that all relevant state accountability metrics are valid and reliable.

N. A public school governing authority that maintains a parish-wide student expulsion process as required by R.S. 17:10.7.1(E)(4) may maintain and develop policies and procedures for student expulsions without regard to the requirements of this Section.

O. Each city, parish, and other local public school board shall gather data and annually report findings related to expulsions to the state Department of Education. This report shall include:

(1) The number of students expelled after the first occasion for committing any of the offenses enumerated in Subsection B or C of this Section.

(2) The number of students expelled after the second or subsequent occasion for committing any of the offenses enumerated in Subsection B or C of this Section.

(3) The number of students who return to a regular school setting after completion of the period of expulsion at an alternative school or alternative educational placement.

Acts 1962, No. 206, §1; Acts 1970, No. 194, §1; Acts 1970, No. 306, §1; Acts 1974, No. 683, §1; Acts 1975, No. 216, §1; Acts 1978, No. 60, §1; Acts 1982, No. 847, §1; Acts 1983, No. 140, §1; Acts 1983, No. 587, §1; Acts 1985, No. 391, §1, eff. July 10, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 1052, §1; Acts 1989, No. 575, §1; Acts 1990, No. 620, §1; Acts 1990, No. 626, §1; Acts 1990, No. 909, §1; Acts 1991, No. 437, §1, eff. July 12, 1991; Acts 1992, No. 216, §1, eff. June 10, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 229, §1, eff. June 10, 1992; Acts 1992, §749, §1, eff. July 7, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 67, §1, eff. May 26, 1993; Acts 1993, No. 305, §1, eff. June 2, 1993; Acts 1993, No. 802, §1, eff. June 22, 1993; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 45, §2; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 108, §1, eff. July 7, 1994; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 127, §1, eff. July 7, 1994; Acts 1995, No. 80, §1, eff. June 12, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 283, §1, eff. June 14, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 1042, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 1292, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 74, §1, eff. May 10, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 424, §1, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 443, §1, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 459, §1, eff. June 22, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 556, §1, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 1387, §1, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 766, §1, eff. July 2, 1999; Acts 1999, No. 1061, §1, eff. July 9, 1999; Acts 2003, No. 97, §1, eff. May 28, 2003; Acts 2003, No. 471, §1; Acts 2005, No. 369, §1; Acts 2006, No. 733, §2, eff. July 1, 2006; Acts 2007, No. 385, §1; Acts 2008, No. 145, §1; Acts 2008, No. 220, §7, eff. June 14, 2008; Acts 2009, No. 240, §1; Acts 2010, No. 861, §8; Acts 2012, No. 831, §1, eff. June 14, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 861, §1, eff. June 14, 2012; Acts 2015, No. 248, §1, eff. June 29, 2015; Acts 2017, No. 335, §1; Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 48, §1, eff. Nov. 5, 2020; Acts 2021, No. 473, §1; Acts 2022, No. 374, §1; Acts 2022, No. 697, §1, eff. June 18, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 337, §1; Acts 2024, No. 400, §1; Acts 2025, No. 439, §1, eff. June 20, 2025; Acts 2025, No. 497, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3932 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3932
Powers and duties
Status: in_force

A. The office shall:

(1) Coordinate all state and local adult literacy services.

(2) Work with the commissioner of administration, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Louisiana Economic Development, the Departments of Education, Public Safety and Corrections, Labor, and Social Services, the office of the state library in the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, the office of elderly affairs in the office of the governor, and all other agencies, departments, and offices deemed necessary to establish appropriate literacy programs.

(3) Make recommendations for the budgeting, allocation, and appropriation of funds for all state literacy efforts and allocate all private funds made available to the office of literacy.

(4) Survey adult literacy needs and monitor and document how those needs are addressed.

(5) Evaluate and report annually to the legislature on the efficacy of adult literacy service providers, particularly detailing the receipt and disbursement of all funds appropriated to the office.

(6) Make recommendations to the governor, the legislature, and other policymakers concerning adult literacy.

B. The office may:

(1) Receive, accept, and expend any funds made available to the office.

(2) Appear as, or act in any other capacity as, an advocate for the cause of adult literacy, including addressing the legislature and any other agencies or bodies.

(3) Adopt and promulgate rules as necessary pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. Such rules shall include but need not be limited to procedures for the office of literacy to review and comment on all requests by state agencies for funding outside of state government for literacy efforts.

(4) Assist the private, statewide literacy foundation or any other governmental or non-governmental entity with promoting the cause of adult literacy.

(5) Establish and provide support for such advisory committees as is deemed useful or necessary.

Acts 1989, No. 88, §1, eff. June 16, 1989.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2115.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2115.7
Commencement address
Status: in_force

When a high school student attending any public secondary school is invited to speak at a commencement ceremony for such school, school officials shall not censor the speech for religious content.

Acts 1995, No. 264, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2124 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2124
Historical documents; displays; legislative intent; historical context; donations
Status: in_force

A. The legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) In 2005, the Supreme Court of the United States recognized that it is permissible to display the Ten Commandments on government property in Van Orden v. Perry, 545 U.S. 677, 688 (2005).

(2) In 2006, the legislature enacted Act No. 602 of the 2006 Regular Session of the Legislature which provided for the secretary of state to publish the Ten Commandments and other historically significant documents for posting in courthouses and other public buildings to address "a need to educate and inform the public as to the history and background of American and Louisiana law".

(3) In 2019, the Supreme Court of the United States further recognized that the Ten Commandments "have historical significance as one of the foundations of our legal system. . ." in American Legion v. American Humanists Association, 588 U.S. 29, 53 (2019), and the court also ruled that the displaying of the Ten Commandments on public property may have "multiple purposes" such as "historical significance" and represent a "common cultural heritage". Id. at 54.

(4) Recognizing the historical role of the Ten Commandments accords with our nation's history and faithfully reflects the understanding of the founders of our nation with respect to the necessity of civic morality to a functional self-government. History records that James Madison, the fourth President of the United States of America, stated that "(w)e have staked the whole future of our new nation . . . upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments".

(5) Including the Ten Commandments in the education of our children is part of our state and national history, culture, and tradition.

(6) The text of the Ten Commandments set forth in Subsection B of this Section is identical to the text of the Ten Commandments monument that was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in Van Orden v. Perry, 545 U.S. 677, 688 (2005).

(7) The Mayflower Compact of 1620 was America's first written constitution and made a Covenant with Almighty God to "form a civil body politic". This was the first purely American document of self-government and affirmed the link between civil society and God.

(8) The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provided a method of admitting new states to the Union from the territory as the country expanded to the Pacific. The Ordinance "extended the fundamental principles of civil and religious liberty" to the territories and stated that "(r)eligion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged".

(9) It is the legislature's intent to apply the decision set forth by the Supreme Court of the United States in Van Orden v. Perry , 545 U.S. 677(2005), to continue the rich tradition and ensure that the students in our public schools may understand and appreciate the foundational documents of our state and national government.

(10) The Supreme Court of the United States acknowledged that the Ten Commandments may be displayed on local government property when a private donation is made for the purchase of the historical monument. Pleasant Grove City, Utah v. Summum, 555 U.S. 460 (2009).

(11) It is the intention of the legislature that this Section shall not create an unfunded mandate on any public school governing authority. The school boards are encouraged to use documents that are printed and made available to the schools free of charge.

B.(1) No later than January 1, 2025, each public school governing authority shall display the Ten Commandments in each classroom in each school under its jurisdiction. The nature of the display shall be determined by each governing authority with a minimum requirement that the Ten Commandments shall be displayed on a poster or framed document that is at least eleven inches by fourteen inches. The text of the Ten Commandments shall be the central focus of the poster or framed document and shall be printed in a large, easily readable font.

(2) The text shall read as follows:

"The Ten Commandments

I AM the Lord thy God.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven images.

Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbor's."

(3) The Ten Commandments shall be displayed with a context statement as follows:

"The History of the Ten Commandments in American Public Education

The Ten Commandments were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries. Around the year 1688, The New England Primer became the first published American textbook and was the equivalent of a first grade reader. The New England Primer was used in public schools throughout the United States for more than one hundred fifty years to teach Americans to read and contained more than forty questions about the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments were also included in public school textbooks published by educator William McGuffey, a noted university president and professor. A version of his famous McGuffey Readers was written in the early 1800s and became one of the most popular textbooks in the history of American education, selling more than one hundred million copies. Copies of the McGuffey Readers are still available today.

The Ten Commandments also appeared in textbooks published by Noah Webster in which were widely used in American public schools along with America's first comprehensive dictionary that Webster also published. His textbook, The American Spelling Book, contained the Ten Commandments and sold more than one hundred million copies for use by public school children all across the nation and was still available for use in American public schools in the year 1975."

(4) A public school may also display the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance, as provided in R.S. 25:1282, along with the Ten Commandments.

(5) This Section shall not require a public school governing authority to spend its funds to purchase displays. In order to fund the displays free of charge, the school public governing authority shall do either of the following:

(a) Accept donated funds to purchase the displays.

(b) Accept donated displays.

(6)(a) The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to ensure the proper implementation of this Section.

(b) The state Department of Education shall identify appropriate resources to comply with the provisions of this Section that are free of charge. Once identified, the department shall list the free resources on the department's internet website.

C.(1) No later than January 1, 2025, each public postsecondary education management board shall require each institution under its jurisdiction to display the Ten Commandments in each classroom on the institution's campus. At a minimum, the Ten Commandments shall be displayed on a poster or framed document that is at least eleven inches by fourteen inches. The text of the Ten Commandments shall be the central focus of the poster or framed document and shall be printed in a large, easily readable font.

(2) The text shall read as provided in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section.

(3) This Subsection does not require a public postsecondary education management board or any public postsecondary education institution to spend its funds to purchase such displays. An institution or management board or governing authority may spend donated funds to purchase the Ten Commandments or other historical documents provided for in this Section or may accept donated displays.

Acts 2024, No. 676, §1, eff. June 19, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1519.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1519.9
Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans; administration
Status: in_force

A. The LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, through its chancellor, shall continue to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with Tulane University Health Sciences Center, through its senior vice president, and the secretary of Louisiana Department of Health, or his designee, for the administration of the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans. For purposes of this Section, administration shall include budgets, staffing, medical services, contracting, and other administrative services. It also shall include distribution of graduate medical education resources for the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, except as provided in R.S. 36:254(A)(14).

B. Any such cooperative endeavor agreement shall include the establishment of an administrative board.

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 42:1101 et seq., the administrative board shall be comprised of fifteen representatives, three from the LSU HSC-NO, three from the Tulane University Health Sciences Center, three from Xavier University, three from the Louisiana Department of Health, one each from Dillard University and Southern University at New Orleans, which collectively shall have one vote, and the chief executive officer of the division, who will serve as an ex officio non-voting member. Each institution shall have one vote with the exception of Dillard University and Southern University at New Orleans. Each administrative board member shall have a fiduciary duty to the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans.

(2) The administrative board shall have policymaking authority for the administration of the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans.

C. The cooperative endeavor agreements shall require that policymaking decisions by the administrative board require unanimous vote of the institutions represented on the administrative board prior to implementation.

D. Policymaking decisions or recommendations can include:

(1) The hiring and firing of the chief executive officer for the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans.

(2) The hiring and firing of the medical director for the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans.

(3) The addition, reduction, discontinuation, or transfer of medical services.

(4) The establishment and maintenance of practices and procedures to ensure compliance with the standards set by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

(5) The establishment and maintenance of practices and procedures designed to meet requirements of medical school accrediting bodies and graduate medical education accrediting bodies.

(6) Annual distribution of house staff and faculty resources between the LSU HSC-NO and Tulane University Health Sciences Center.

(7) The establishment of any contract or affiliation for medical services or medical education.

(8) Amendments to the medical staff bylaws and hospital policies and procedures.

(9) Any expenditures for new or expanded major clinical educational research programs.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, changes in the responsibility for providing anesthesiology, radiology, and pathology shall require the approval of the board through the chancellor of the LSU HSC-NO.

F. Any dispute arising out of matters pursuant to this Section may be referred to non-binding arbitration by any one of the five institutions represented on the administrative board.

(1) One arbitrator shall be selected by each institution represented on the administrative board and those five arbitrators shall name an additional two arbitrators to the panel, one of whom shall serve as chair.

(2) If the panel is unable to make a determination or if any one of the institutions represented on the administrative board is not satisfied with the determination of the panel, any one of the institutions represented on the administrative board may appeal to the commissioner of administration for a final determination.

Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 127, §2, eff. April 19, 2000; Acts 2003, No. 906, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:183.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 183.3
Career major; description; curriculum and graduation requirements
Status: in_force

A.(1)(a) A career major shall provide a student with greater technical skill and a strong academic core and shall be offered to each high school student enrolled in a city, parish, or other local public school system that offers a career major program. Such a major shall be linked to postsecondary options and shall prepare students to pursue either a degree or certification from a postsecondary institution, an industry-based training or certification, an apprenticeship, the military, or immediate entrance into a career field. Such a major shall be primarily designed for those students who are not initially college bound and shall provide them with alternatives to immediate entrance into a four-year university or college after high school graduation.

(b) Students pursuing a career major shall be afforded the opportunity to dually enroll in a Louisiana public postsecondary education institution or participate in a business internship or work-study program when such opportunities are available and appropriate.

(2)(a) Each city, parish, and other local public school system shall develop and offer one or more career major programs aligned to state and regional workforce demands, pursuant to policies adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(b) Schools, in partnership with local business and industry leaders, local economic development agencies, and postsecondary education leaders, shall review majors offered each year and expand offerings as appropriate, including courses offered through articulation, dual enrollment, industry training programs, and digital learning opportunities.

B.(1) Students in a career major program shall complete an academic core of courses and a career and technical sequence of courses or approved training programs that lead to an approved industry-based credential.

(2) The course requirements for the career major shall consist of the following:

(a) At least four English credits, including English I, English II, and two additional courses from among the following: English III, English IV, AP or IB English courses, Business English, Technical Writing, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(b) At least four mathematics credits, including Algebra I, Algebra I Part One and Algebra I Part Two, or an applied or hybrid Algebra course; Geometry or an applied Geometry course; Financial Literacy as provided for in R.S. 17:270; and one additional mathematics course from among the following: Math Essentials, Business Math, Algebra II, Algebra III, Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Computer Science, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II and shall equal three mathematics credits.

(c) At least two science credits, including one credit of Biology and one additional course from among the following: Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (one credit combined), Physics, Computer Science, or AP or IB Science courses.

(d) At least two social studies credits, including one credit from among the following: U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or IB U.S. History; one credit from among the following: Civics, Government, AP U.S. Government and Politics: Comparative, or AP U.S. Government and Politics: United States.

(e) At least two credits in Health and Physical Education, including one credit of Physical Education I, one-half credit from among the following: Physical Education II, Marching Band, Extracurricular Sports, Cheering, or Dance Teams; and one-half credit of Health Education.

(f) At least nine credits in Jump Start course sequences, workplace experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses, including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are appropriate for the career major. One of these credits shall be Computer Science, unless Computer Science is taken to fulfill one credit as provided in Subparagraph (b) or (c) of this Paragraph.

(g) Additional electives or career and technical education courses required by the city, parish, or other local public school board as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(3) A student pursuing a career diploma shall take the ACT, the WorkKeys test, or the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop a system of equivalent scores for the ACT, the WorkKeys test, and the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and shall use a student's highest score achieved on such test or tests for purposes of the school and district accountability system required by R.S. 17:10.1.

C.(1) Each city, parish, and other local public school board shall submit a proposed curriculum to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for approval. Such curriculum shall comply with the provisions of Subsection B of this Section and the provisions of R.S. 17:261 through 280.

(2) Each school with an approved career major program shall annually conduct an informational meeting for the parents and legal guardians of students enrolled in the eighth grade regarding the approved curriculum.

D. A student who seeks to pursue a career major curriculum shall meet one of the following conditions:

(1) Has fulfilled all of the requirements established by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the city, parish, or other local public school board where the student is enrolled or the Individualized Education Program team, if applicable, for promotion to high school.

(2) Has fulfilled or is determined to be on track to fulfill the course requirements set forth in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section.

(3) Meets the entry or admissions requirements set forth in the chosen career major program.

E.(1) A student with an exceptionality, as defined in R.S. 17:1942(B), except a gifted or talented student, who meets the eligibility criteria as provided in R.S. 17:183.2(B)(1) and who successfully completes the requirements of his Individualized Education Program, including performance on any assessment required for graduation determined appropriate by his Individualized Education Program team, shall be issued a high school diploma. The student's Individualized Education Program team shall determine if the student is required to meet state or local established performance standards on any assessment for purposes of graduation.

(2) If a student's Individualized Education Program team determines that the student is not required to meet state or local performance standards on any assessment for purposes of graduation, the student shall be required to successfully complete Individualized Education Program goals and requirements and shall meet at least one of the following conditions, consistent with the Individualized Education Program:

(a) Employment in integrated, inclusive work environments, based on the student's abilities and local employment opportunities, in addition to sufficient self-help skills to enable the student to maintain employment without direct and continuous educational support from the school district.

(b) Demonstrate mastery of specific employability skills and self-help skills that indicate that he does not require direct and continuous educational support from the school district.

(c) Access to services that are not within the legal responsibility of public education or employment or education options for which the student has been prepared by the academic program.

(3) A diploma issued to a student with an exceptionality based on achieving his Individualized Education Program goals and objectives shall count equally and be assigned the same number of points in the school performance score calculation for high schools as are assigned for a diploma issued to any other student.

F. High school promotion determinations for a student with an exceptionality as defined in R.S. 17:1942(B), except a student identified as gifted or talented and who has no other exceptionality, who meets the eligibility criteria as provided in R.S. 17:183.2(B)(1) shall be made by the student's Individualized Education Program team.

Acts 1997, No. 1124, §1; Acts 2001, No. 191, §§1 and 2, eff. May 31, 2001; Acts 2009, No. 246, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 298, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 327, §1; Acts 2010, No. 445, §1, eff. June 22, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 861, §8; Acts 2014, No. 643, §1; Acts 2014, No. 833, §1; Acts 2015, No. 403, §1; Acts 2018, No. 671, §1, eff. June 1, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 128, §1, eff. June 6, 2019; Acts 2021, No. 458, §1, eff. June 23, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 447, §1; Acts 2023, No. 267, §1; Acts 2024, No. 211, §2; Acts 2024, No. 635, §1; Acts 2025, No. 268, §§2, 3.

NOTE: See Acts 2025, No. 268, §3, relative to applicability and implementation.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:273.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 273.1
Critical languages; teaching in public schools
Status: in_force

A. As expeditiously as possible, but not later than the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall ensure that secondary school students are afforded the opportunity to study at least one of the critical languages as defined by the United States Department of State and the United States Department of Education.

B. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education may phase in implementation of the requirements of this Section in accordance with the following timeline:

(1) Not later than the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, students enrolled in at least twenty-five percent of the secondary schools in the state shall have the opportunity to study a critical language.

(2) Not later than the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, students enrolled in at least fifty percent of the secondary schools in the state shall have the opportunity to study a critical language.

(3) Not later than the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year, students enrolled in at least seventy-five percent of the secondary schools in the state shall have the opportunity to study a critical language.

(4) Not later than the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, every student enrolled in a secondary school in the state shall be afforded the opportunity to study at least one of the critical languages as defined by the United States Department of State and the United States Department of Education.

C. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall submit a written report regarding the progress made in implementing the provisions of this Section to the Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Education not later than March fifteenth of each year, until such time as the provisions of this Section have been fully implemented.

Acts 2008, No. 770, §1, eff. when sufficient funds are appropriated.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1974 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1974
Board of directors; creation; membership; terms; powers; voting; compensation
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created a board of directors for the school, hereinafter in this Part referred to as the "board". The board shall be composed of nine members as follows:

(1) A member selected by the state superintendent of education.

(2) The superintendent of schools for East Baton Rouge Parish or his designee.

(3) The chairman of the House Committee on Education or his designee.

(4) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Education or his designee.

(5) One member who shall be appointed by the governor.

(6) One teacher who shall be a member of the faculty of the school and who shall be elected by the members of the faculty.

(7) The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services or his designee.

(8) The president of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents or his designee.

(9) The district attorney of East Baton Rouge Parish or his designee.

B. The terms of the members of the board shall be four years.

C. Six members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and all official action of the board shall require the favorable vote of a majority of those members present and voting.

D. The board may:

(1) Accept donations, bequests, or other forms of financial assistance for educational purposes from any public or private person or agency and comply with rules and regulations governing grants from the federal government or from any other person or agency, which are not in contravention of the constitution and laws.

(2) Purchase land and equipment and make improvements to facilities necessary for the use of the school, in accordance with applicable law.

(3) Lease land or other property belonging to it or to the school, subject to approval of the commissioner of administration and in accordance with law.

(4) Sell or exchange land or other real property not needed for school purposes, but only when specifically authorized by law and then only in accordance with the procedures provided in R.S. 41:892 for the sale of unused school lands. The sale shall be authorized by resolution adopted by the board, and the act of sale shall be signed by the president of the board or such other person to whom the signing may be delegated by the board in the authorizing resolution.

(5) Adopt rules, regulations, and policies necessary or proper for the conduct of the business of the board.

(6) Award certificates and issue diplomas for successful completion of programs of study. All such certificates and diplomas shall be in addition to a regular high school diploma which shall be issued by the state board in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 17:6(A)(11) to any student who successfully completes the program of study adopted by the board.

(7) Enter into contracts and agreements which have been recommended by the director, in accordance with applicable law, and to the extent that funds are specifically appropriated therefor, with other public agencies with respect to cooperative enterprises and undertakings related to or associated with an educational purpose or program affecting education in the school. This shall not preclude the board from entering into other such contracts and agreements that it deems necessary to carry out its duties and functions.

(8) Perform such other functions as are necessary for the supervision and control of the school.

E. In addition to the authorities granted by this Section and any powers, duties, and responsibilities vested by any other applicable laws, the board shall:

(1) Adopt rules, regulations, and policies, including a student handbook, that are necessary for the efficient operation of the school.

(2) Establish criteria to be used in determining eligibility of applicants for enrollment. In enrolling students, preference shall be given to students with the greatest need based on the criteria specified in R.S. 17:1972(1) as determined by the board. No student shall be enrolled without the written consent of the student's parent or legal guardian.

(3) Prescribe and select for use in the school free textbooks and other materials of instruction for children enrolled in the school and programs under its jurisdiction.

(4) Enter into an agreement, as recommended by the director, with a city, parish, and other local public school system for the enrollment of a student who otherwise would have attended school in the local public school system.

(5) Select a director who shall be the chief administrative officer of the school and who shall administer the rules, regulations, and policies adopted by the board. The board shall delegate to the director such of its powers and duties as it deems appropriate to aid the director in the efficient administration of his responsibility for the implementation of the policies of the board. The director shall be responsible for all the administrative functions, duties, and needs of the board including but not limited to the following:

(a) Preparing an annual budget necessary for the continued operation of the school and submitting such budget to the board for adoption.

(b) Paying the expenses of the board and its members and the salaries and expenses, including but not restricted to facilities, equipment, and supplies of the faculty and staff of the school out of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the operating and administrative expenses of the board and the school.

(c) Exercising budgetary responsibility and allocating for expenditure by the school all monies appropriated or otherwise made available for purposes of the board and the school.

(d) Developing and annually updating a student handbook including but not limited to all rules, regulations, and policies for the disciplining of students and submitting such handbook to the board for adoption as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

(e) Determining faculty and staff positions necessary for the efficient operation of the school and selecting personnel for such positions.

(6) Create an advisory panel consisting of a representative from each city, parish, and other local public school system that has entered into an agreement with the board for the enrollment of a student who otherwise would have attended school in the local public school system. The representative shall be selected by the local superintendent of the system. The advisory panel shall advise and provide assistance to the board on matters affecting the school as determined by the board.

F. Members of the board shall not receive any compensation for their service as members.

G. The school shall act as its own local education agency.

Acts 2016, No. 672, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 2016.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:531 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 531
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this subpart the term "employee" means any person in the employ of the Iberville Parish School Board who is a member of or is eligible for membership in the State Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana and who is not covered by the provisions of the State Teachers' Tenure Act. 1

Added by Acts 1972, No. 194, §1.

1 R.S. 17:441 et seq.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:354 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 354
Parental access to instructional materials and the Parents' Bill of Rights for Public Schools; posting and distribution of laws and information
Status: in_force

A. Each public school governing authority and each public school shall post on its website information explaining the rights that parents have relative to accessing the instructional materials used in the education of their child and other rights pertaining to their child's education. The information shall be posted prominently in a location that is readily accessible from the main landing page of the website and shall include an easily understandable summary and the full text and legal citation of both of the following provisions:

(1) R.S. 17:355, which provides relative to parental access to instructional materials.

(2) R.S. 17:406.9, which provides for the Parents' Bill of Rights for Public Schools.

B. The information also shall be distributed to parents during the first week of school annually via paperwork sent home or any electronic means through which communication is routinely delivered to parents.

Acts 2022, No. 466, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:24.12 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 24.12
Early literacy professional development; purpose; requirements; reporting; funding
Status: in_force

A. As used in this Section:

(1) "Administrator" means a principal or assistant principal of a school that includes kindergarten through third grade.

(2) "Approved professional development course" means a foundational literacy skills instruction course that is based on the science of reading designed for the professional development of educators, and includes information on instructing students regarding phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

(3) "Teacher" means each kindergarten through third grade teacher who teaches reading, math, science, or social studies.

B. The state Department of Education shall:

(1) Not later than December 1, 2021, develop a list of approved professional development courses.

(2) Not later than the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year, require each teacher and administrator to successfully complete at least one approved professional development course and provide documentation of successful completion of the course to their employing school. A teacher or administrator who provides documentation of completion of an approved professional development program within the five years prior to 2023 shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this Paragraph.

(3) Require any teacher or administrator hired after August 1, 2023, to provide documentation to his employing school of successful completion of an approved professional development course within two years of his date of employment.

(4)(a) Beginning May 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, require each city, parish, or other local public school board to report to the department the number and percentage of teachers and administrators who have successfully completed an approved professional development course.

(b) The data required in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall be included in the department's school progress profiles required by R.S. 17:3911 and 3912.

C. Each public school governing authority shall provide for literacy coaches for reading teachers in kindergarten through third grade for the purposes of providing on-site teacher training on evidence-based reading instruction, demonstrating lessons, co-teaching or observation, and providing feedback for improving instruction.

D. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of this Section.

E. The provisions of this Section shall be subject to the appropriation of funds.

Acts 2021, No. 108, §1, eff. June 4, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 520, §2.

NOTE: See Acts 2021, No. 108, §3, relative to the prohibition on the use of state or obligated federal funds.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:4035 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 4035
Short title
Status: in_force

This Part shall be known and may be cited as the "Louisiana Public School Choice Act".

Acts 2014, No. 853, §1, eff. June 23, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3164 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3164
Common Course Numbering System
Status: in_force

A.(1) In accordance with council policy, the Board of Regents shall develop, coordinate, and maintain a statewide course numbering system for postsecondary and dual enrollment education in all public secondary and postsecondary educational institutions as a means to facilitate program planning and the transfer of students and course credits between and among secondary and postsecondary educational institutions.

(2)(a) The development and ongoing maintenance of the statewide course numbering system, including determining course equivalencies, shall be accomplished with the assistance of appropriate committees that shall include faculty members representing public and participating nonpublic educational institutions.

(b) The development and implementation of the statewide common course numbering system shall be prioritized as follows:

(i) All courses contained in the general education core curriculum as established by the Board of Regents.

(ii) All courses required for completion of the associate of arts and associate of science transfer degrees.

(iii) All remaining lower division courses.

(iv) All remaining undergraduate courses.

B.(1)(a) The commissioner of higher education, in collaboration with the higher education management boards, shall appoint faculty committees representing all participating institutions to recommend the appropriate level for each course, including postsecondary career and technical education courses, included in the statewide course numbering system.

(b) A course designated as an upper-division level course shall be characterized by a need for advanced academic preparation and skills that a student is unlikely to achieve without significant prior coursework.

(c) A course that is designated as a lower-division level course may be offered by any duly accredited community college.

(2) The Board of Regents shall approve the course level designations for all courses included in the statewide numbering system.

(3) The statewide course numbering system shall include the courses at the approved levels.

C.(1) Courses that have substantially the same academic content and are taught by faculty with comparable credentials shall be considered equivalent courses and shall be given the same course designation.

(2) Equivalent courses shall be guaranteed to transfer to any institution participating in the statewide course numbering system.

(3) The Board of Regents, in consultation with the Statewide Articulation and Transfer Council, shall define equivalency criteria to be used in the common course numbering system.

D.(1) The Board of Regents shall provide that credits to be accepted by a receiving institution are appropriately evaluated to ensure that the faculty possess credentials that are comparable to those required by the accrediting body of the receiving institution.

(2) The award of credit by receiving institutions may be limited to courses that are entered in the statewide course numbering system.

E. The course catalog and registration process for each postsecondary education institution shall include the courses at their designated levels and statewide course number.

F.(1) Every public and nonpublic educational institution that participates in the statewide course numbering system shall be fully accredited by the appropriate education accrediting body.

(2) Each educational institution that awards associate of arts or associate of science degrees approved by the council for transfer to a four-year postsecondary educational institution and each four-year postsecondary educational institution that admits graduates of such associate degree programs shall be appropriately accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - Commission on Colleges.

G. Regionally accredited independent colleges and universities that are members of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities are encouraged to participate in the statewide course numbering system.

Acts 2009, No. 356, §1, eff. July 6, 2009; Acts 2012, No. 623, §1, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2022, No. 308, §1, eff. June 10, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:5026 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 5026
High school core curriculum requirements; TOPS-Tech
Status: in_force

A. To be eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Chapter, the student shall have successfully completed the core curriculum requirements of R.S. 17:5025 or the core curriculum defined as follows:

(1) English - Four Units

(a) English I.

(b) English II.

(c) Two or more units from the following: English III, English IV, AP or IB English courses, Business English, Technical Writing, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(2) Math - Four Units

(a) Algebra I, Algebra I Part One and Algebra I Part Two, or an applied or hybrid algebra course (one unit), and Geometry or an applied Geometry course (one unit).

(b) Financial Literacy (one unit).

(c) One or more units from the following: Algebra II, Math Essentials, Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Computer Science, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II and shall equal three mathematics credits.

(3) Science - Two Units

(a) Biology.

(b) One unit from the following: Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (both for one unit), Physical Science, Physics, Computer Science, or AP or IB science courses.

(4) Social Studies - Two Units

(a) One unit from the following: U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or IB U.S. History.

(b) One unit from the following: Civics, Government, AP U.S. Government and Politics: Comparative, or AP U.S. Government and Politics: United States.

(5) At least nine credits in Jump Start course sequences, workplace experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses, including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are appropriate for the career major. One of these credits shall be Computer Science, unless Computer Science is taken to fulfill one credit as provided in Paragraph (2) or (3) of this Subsection.

B. For a student graduating during or prior to the 2001-2002 school year, to be eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Chapter, the student shall have successfully completed a core curriculum requirements of Subsection A of this Section or of R.S. 17:5025.3 or the core curriculum defined as follows:

(1) English I, II, III, and IV (four units, or substitute one unit of Business English for English IV).

(2) Algebra I (one unit) or Applied Algebra 1A and 1B (two units) and Algebra II (one unit).

(3) Geometry or Applied Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, or comparable Advanced Mathematics (one unit).

(4) Biology (one unit).

(5) Chemistry or Applied Physics (one unit).

(6) Earth Science, Environmental Science, Agriscience I and II (both for one unit), Physical Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, or Physics for Technology (one unit).

(7) American History (one unit).

(8) World History, Western Civilization, or World Geography (one unit).

(9) Civics and Free Enterprise (one unit combined) or Civics (one unit, nonpublic).

(10) Fine Arts Survey or any approved vocational course in the areas of Agriscience, Business Education, Family and Consumer Science, Health Occupations, Marketing Education, Technology Education, or Trade and Industrial Education (one unit); or substitute two units of performance courses in music, dance, or theater; or substitute two units of visual art courses; or substitute two units of studio art courses; or substitute one unit as an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum.

(11) Foreign Language (one unit for students graduating from high school during the 1996-1997 school year or the 1997-1998 school year; two units in a single language for students graduating from high school during the 1998-1999 school year and thereafter) or Technical Writing, Speech I, or Speech II (two units).

(12) Computer Science, Computer Literacy, or Business Computer Applications (one-half unit; or substitute at least one-half unit of an elective course related to computers that is approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; or substitute at least one-half unit as an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum).

C. For a student graduating after the 2001-2002 school year but prior to the 2017-2018 school year to be eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Chapter, the student shall have successfully completed the core curriculum requirements of R.S. 17:5025 or 5025.3 or the core curriculum defined as follows:

(1) English I, II, III, and IV (four units, or substitute one unit of Business English for English IV).

(2) Algebra I (one unit); or both Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2; or both Applied Mathematics I and Applied Mathematics II.

(3) Geometry, Applied Mathematics III, Algebra II, Financial Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics I, Advanced Mathematics II, Discrete Mathematics, or Probability and Statistics (two units). Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and shall be considered the equivalent of the three required math units.

(4) Biology (one unit).

(5) Earth Science, Environmental Science, Agriscience I and II (both for one unit), Physical Science, Integrated Science, Biology II, Chemistry or Applied Chemistry, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, or Physics for Technology (two units).

(6) American History (one unit).

(7) World History, Western Civilization, or World Geography (one unit).

(8) Civics and Free Enterprise (one unit combined) or Civics (one unit, nonpublic).

(9) Remaining core courses shall be selected from one of the following options:

(a) OPTION 1, consisting of four units as follows:

(i) Fine Arts Survey (one unit) or drafting (one unit) or substitute two units of performance courses in music, dance, or theater; or substitute two units of visual art courses; or substitute two units of studio art courses; or a course from the career and technical program of studies that is approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; or substitute one unit as an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum.

(ii) Foreign Language, Technical Writing, Speech I, or Speech II (two units).

(iii) One unit from the secondary computer education program of studies that is approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(b) OPTION 2, consisting of six units required as a concentration under the career options law, R.S. 17:183.1 et seq., as follows:

(i) At least four units in a career major comprised of a sequence of related specialty courses.

(ii) At least two units in related or technical fields, including credit in a basic computer course.

D. For a student graduating during or after the 2017-2018 school year but prior to the 2026-2027 school year, to be eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Chapter, the student shall have successfully completed the core curriculum requirements of R.S. 17:5025 or the core curriculum defined as follows:

(1) English - Four Units

(a) English I.

(b) English II.

(c) Two or more units from the following: English III, English IV, AP or IB English courses, Business English, Technical Writing, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(2) Math - Four Units

(a) Algebra I (one unit); or both Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2; or an applied or hybrid algebra course.

(b) Three or more units from the following: Geometry, Algebra II, Math Essentials, Financial Literacy, Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-calculus, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and shall equal three mathematics credits.

(3) Science - Two Units

(a) Biology.

(b) One unit from the following: Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (both for one unit), Physical Science, Physics, or AP or IB science courses.

(4) Social Studies - Two Units

(a) One unit from the following: U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or IB U.S. History.

(b) One unit from the following: Civics, Government, AP U.S. Government and Politics: Comparative, or AP U.S. Government and Politics: United States.

(5) At least nine credits in Jump Start course sequences, workplace experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses, including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are appropriate for the career major.

E. For a student graduating during the 2026-2027 school year to be eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Chapter, the student shall have successfully completed the core curriculum requirements of R.S. 17:5025 or the core curriculum defined as follows:

(1) English - Four Units

(a) English I.

(b) English II.

(c) Two or more units from the following: English III, English IV, AP or IB English courses, Business English, Technical Writing, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(2) Math - Four Units

(a) Algebra I; both Algebra I, Part One and Algebra I, Part Two, or an applied or hybrid algebra course (one unit) and Geometry or an applied Geometry course (one unit).

(b) Two or more units from the following: Algebra II, Math Essentials, Financial Literacy, Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and shall equal three mathematics credits.

(3) Science - Two Units

(a) Biology.

(b) One unit from the following: Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (both for one unit), Physical Science, Physics, or AP or IB science courses.

(4) Social Studies - Two Units

(a) One unit from the following: U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or IB U.S. History.

(b) One unit from the following: Civics, Government, AP U.S. Government and Politics: Comparative, or AP U.S. Government and Politics: United States.

(5) At least nine credits in Jump Start course sequences, workplace experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses, including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are appropriate for the career major.

F. For a student graduating during or after the 2027-2028 school year but prior to the 2030-2031 school year to be eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Chapter, the student shall have successfully completed the core curriculum requirements of R.S. 17:5025 or the core curriculum defined as follows:

(1) English - Four Units

(a) English I.

(b) English II.

(c) Two or more units from the following: English III, English IV, AP or IB English courses, Business English, Technical Writing, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(2) Math - Four Units

(a) Algebra I, Algebra I Part One and Algebra I Part Two, or an applied or hybrid algebra course (one unit), and Geometry or an applied Geometry course (one unit).

(b) Financial Literacy (one unit).

(c) One or more units from the following: Algebra II, Math Essentials, Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II and shall equal three mathematics credits.

(3) Science - Two Units

(a) Biology.

(b) One unit from the following: Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (both for one unit), Physical Science, Physics, or AP or IB science courses.

(4) Social Studies - Two Units

(a) One unit from the following: U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or IB U.S. History.

(b) One unit from the following: Civics, Government, AP U.S. Government and Politics: Comparative, or AP U.S. Government and Politics: United States.

(5) At least nine credits in Jump Start course sequences, workplace experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses, including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are appropriate for the career major.

Acts 2015, No. 227, §1; Acts 2015, No. 403, §3; Acts 2018, No. 671, §1, eff. June 1, 2018; Acts 2022, No. 447, §1; Acts 2023, No. 267, §1. Acts 2024, No. 211, §2; Acts 2025, No. 268, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1675 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1675
Eligibility for a scholarship
Status: in_force

A person shall be eligible for consideration for a scholarship if:

(1) He is a citizen of the United States;

(2) He has been a resident of the state for three years immediately preceding the date of his application for a scholarship or a renewal of a scholarship;

(3) He meets the admission requirements of the approved institution of higher education of his choice;

(4) He satisfactorily meets the qualifications of financial need, character and academic promise, as well as academic achievement, as established by the department;

(5) He shall not be a major in religious studies or theology.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 695, §1, eff. July 1, 1975.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:100.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 100.8
Student biometric information; collection and use
Status: in_force

A. For the purposes of this Section, "biometric information" means the noninvasive electronic measurement and evaluation of any physical characteristics that are attributable to a single person, including fingerprint characteristics, eye characteristics, hand characteristics, vocal characteristics, facial characteristics, and any other physical characteristics used for the purpose of electronically identifying that person with a high degree of certainty.

B. The governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school that collects biometric information from students shall develop, adopt, and implement policies governing the collection and use of such information that, at a minimum, shall:

(1) Contain a full explanation of what type of biometric information will be collected, how it will be collected and stored, and the purposes for which such information will be used.

(2) Require written permission from the student's parent or other legal guardian, or the student if he or she is eighteen years of age or older, prior to the collection of any biometric information. Such written permission shall be obtained on a form that is created for the express purpose of obtaining the required permission. The granting of permission shall not be included as a part of any form used for enrollment purposes or other form required by the school's governing authority for any other purpose.

(3) Provide that any biometric information collected from a student shall be used only for identification or fraud prevention purposes.

(4) Ensure that a student's biometric information shall not be disclosed to a third party without the written permission of the student's parent or other legal guardian, or the student if he or she has reached the age of eighteen, unless the disclosure is required by court order.

(5) Provide for the secure storage, transmission, and protection of all biometric information from unauthorized disclosure.

(6) Require that student biometric information be encrypted using an algorithmic process which transforms data into a form in which there is a low probability of assigning meaning to such information without use of a confidential process or key.

(7) Ensure that the use of a student's biometric information is discontinued upon:

(a) The student's graduation or withdrawal from school.

(b) Receipt of a written request to discontinue use of such information from the student's parent or other legal guardian, or the student if he or she is eighteen years of age or older.

(8) Require that all biometric information collected from a student shall be destroyed within thirty days after use of such information is discontinued.

C. A student shall not be refused or denied any services due to the failure of the student's parent or other legal guardian, or the student if he or she is eighteen years of age or older, to provide written consent as provided in Subsection B of this Section.

D. Any collection of student biometric information shall comply with all applicable state and federal law and requirements, including the Federal Family Educational Rights Privacy Act of 1974.

Acts 2010, No. 498, §1, eff. June 24, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:67.2.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 67.2.1
Unfunded accrued liability; payment
Status: in_force

In the event that the establishment of the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School District results in the elimination of one or more positions of current members of the Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System through privatizing, outsourcing, contracting the service with a private employer, or any other means, the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School District shall remit that portion of the unfunded accrued liability attributable to that position or positions pursuant to R.S. 11:1195.2.

NOTE: §67.2.1 eff. upon adoption of a const. amend. which authorizes the St. George Community School System. See Acts 2025, No. 455.

§67.2.1. Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 455, §2, eff. See Act.

Acts 2013, No. 295, §1, eff. when constitutional amendment is adopted; Acts 2025, No. 455, §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:185.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 185.1
Short title
Status: in_force

This Subpart shall be known as the "Agricultural Education Act".

Acts 2001, No. 339, §1, eff. June 7, 2001.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:67.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 67.3
Benefits of reemployed retirees and Legacy Benefit Trust Fund for Retirees of East Baton Rouge Parish School System
Status: in_force

A. The East Baton Rouge Parish School System shall annually provide to the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System an itemization of all postemployment benefits to be paid by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board for the benefit of every individual hired by the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System as a full-time employee. The Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System shall reimburse East Baton Rouge Parish School System at least quarterly for all post employment benefits for any employee hired by Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System as a full-time employee until all post employment benefits to which said individual is entitled have been paid.

B.(1) A trust to be known as the "Legacy Benefit Trust for Retirees of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System" shall be established pursuant to R.S. 17:1224. Within twelve months of beginning operation, the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System shall deposit into the trust an initial sum calculated using the per pupil formula used to calculate the amount of funds received by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board from the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on behalf of the East Baton Rouge parish schools placed under the jurisdiction of the Recovery School District. Thereafter, on or before July first of each succeeding year, the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School District shall deposit into the trust an amount calculated using the per pupil formula used to calculate the amount of funds received by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board from the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on behalf of the East Baton Rouge parish schools placed under the jurisdiction of the Recovery School District.

(2)(a) In the event the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education does not implement a per pupil formula to calculate the amount of funds to be received by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on behalf of the East Baton Rouge Parish schools placed under the jurisdiction of the Recovery School District as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection in a timely manner, a committee composed of the state superintendent of education, the superintendent of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, and the superintendent of the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System, or their respective designees, shall determine the per pupil amount to be used as the basis for determining the amounts to be deposited into the trust as provided in this Section. The committee may consult with or utilize such financial or actuarial experts as deemed necessary.

(b) The initial sum to be deposited into the trust pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall be equal to the total number of students enrolled in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System on the effective date of this Section who subsequently enroll in the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System, multiplied by the per pupil amount developed pursuant to this Paragraph. The amount of subsequent deposits shall be determined utilizing the initial student enrollment data and the per pupil formula applicable to the employees who retired prior to the effective date of this Section.

C. In the event it is determined by an actuarial study that the funds on deposit in the Legacy Benefit Trust for Retirees of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System are sufficient to pay the costs of the legacy benefits due to a proportionate share of individuals who retired from the East Baton Rouge Parish School System prior to the effective date of this Act, Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System shall not be required to make any additional payments to the Legacy Benefit Trust for Retirees of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.

NOTE: §67.3 eff. upon adoption of a const. amend. which authorizes the St. George Community School System. See Acts 2025, No. 455.

§67.3. Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 455, §2, eff. See Act.

Acts 2013, No. 295, §1, eff. when constitutional amendment is adopted; Acts 2025, No. 455, §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3023.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3023.4
Student loan guarantees
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the board may guarantee loans made to students attending or planning to attend institutions of higher education, including graduate, professional, vocational, business, or technical education, subject to the conditions, limitations, reinsurance provisions and in accordance with the terms and provisions of and within the amounts established by 20 U.S.C. §1071 et seq., or in accordance with the provisions of any federal law or regulations relating to student loan guarantee or insurance programs, provided that the aggregate value of all loans guaranteed and outstanding at any one time shall not exceed fifteen times the total value of funds, investments, properties, and other assets available to the board for such purpose, except that this guarantee may be further expanded by use of federal credit.

B. The guarantee shall be for the maximum percentage of the unpaid principal and interest of each loan permitted by the Federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended or as hereafter amended.

C. The interest charged on any guaranteed loans shall not exceed the maximum interest rate authorized by the Federal Higher Education Act of 1965, 1 as amended or as hereafter amended.

Acts 1978, No. 135, §2; Acts 1978, No. 589, §1; Acts 1979, No. 761, §§1, 2, eff. July 20, 1979; Acts 1980, No. 790, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1980; Acts 1980, No. 815, §5; Acts 1981, No. 378, §1, eff. July 17, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 835, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1982; Acts 1995, No. 713, §1; Acts 2016, No. 314, §3(A).

1 See 20 U.S.C.A. §1001 et seq.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1911 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1911
Ratification; text of compact
Status: in_force

The action of the governor of this state in entering into a compact on behalf of the State of Louisiana with the states joining therein for cooperative efforts for improving and expanding education is hereby authorized and ratified subject to the approval of said compact by the Congress of the United States, which compact is substantially as follows:

A COMPACT

WHEREAS, the proper education of all citizens is one of the most important responsibilities of the States to preserve a free and open society in the United States; and,

WHEREAS, the increasing demands of our whole national life for improving and expanding educational services require a broad exchange of research data and information concerning the problems and practices of education; and,

WHEREAS, there is a vital need for strengthening the voices of the States in the formulation of alternative nationwide educational policies,

THE STATES AFFIRM the need for close and continuing consultation among our several States on all matters of education, and do hereby establish this Compact for Education.

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE AND POLICY

A. It is the purpose of this compact to:

1. Establish and maintain close cooperation and understanding among executive, legislative, professional, educational and lay leadership on a nationwide basis at the State and local levels.

2. Provide a forum for the discussion, development, crystallization and recommendation of public policy alternatives in the field of education.

3. Provide a clearing house of information on matters relating to educational problems and how they are being met in different places throughout the Nation, so that the executive and legislative branches of State Government and of local communities may have ready access to the experience and record of the entire country, and so that both lay and professional groups in the field of education may have additional avenues for the sharing of experience and the interchange of ideas in the formation of public policy in education.

4. Facilitate the improvement of State and local educational systems so that all of them will be able to meet adequate and desirable goals in a society which requires continuous qualitative and quantitative advance in education opportunities, methods and facilities.

B. It is the policy of this compact to encourage and promote local and state initiative in the development, maintenance, improvement and administration of educational systems and institutions in a manner which will accord with the needs and advantages of diversity among localities and States.

C. The party States recognize that each of them has an interest in the quality and quantity of education furnished in each of the other States, as well as in the excellence of its own educational systems and institutions, because of the highly mobile character of individuals within the Nation, and because the products and services contributing to the health, welfare and economic advancement of each State are supplied in significant part by persons educated in other States.

ARTICLE II

STATE DEFINED

As used in this Compact, "State" means a State, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

ARTICLE III

THE COMMISSION

A. The Educational Commission of the States, hereinafter called "the Commission", is hereby established. The Commission shall consist of seven members representing each party State. One of such members shall be the Governor; two shall be members of the State legislature selected by its respective houses and serving in such manner as the legislature may determine; and four shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor, unless the laws of the State otherwise provide. If the laws of a State prevent legislators from serving on the Commission, six members shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor, unless the laws of the State otherwise provide. In addition to any other principles or requirements which a State may establish for the appointment and service of its members on the Commission, the guiding principle for the composition of the membership on the Commission from each party State shall be that the members representing such State shall, by virtue of their training, experience, knowledge or affiliations be in a position collectively to reflect broadly the interests of the State Government, higher education, the State education system, local education, lay and professional, public and non-public educational leadership. Of those appointees, one shall be the head of a state agency or institution, designated by the Governor, having responsibility for one or more programs of public education. In addition to the members of the Commission representing the party States, there may be not to exceed ten non-voting commissioners selected by the steering committee for terms of one year. Such Commissioners shall represent leading national organizations of professional educators or persons concerned with educational administration.

B. The members of the Commission shall be entitled to one vote each on the Commission. No action of the Commission shall be binding unless taken at a meeting at which a majority of the total number of votes on the Commission are cast in favor thereof. Action of the Commission shall be only at a meeting at which a majority of the Commissioners are present. The Commission shall meet at least once a year. In its bylaws, and subject to such directions and limitations as may be contained therein, the Commission may delegate the exercise of any of its powers to the steering committee or the Executive Director, except for the power to approve budgets or requests for appropriations, the power to make policy recommendations pursuant to Article IV and adoption of the annual report pursuant to Article III(j).

C. The Commission shall have a seal.

D. The Commission shall elect annually, from among its members, a chairman, who shall be a Governor, a vice chairman and a treasurer. The Commission shall provide for the appointment of an executive director. Such executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission, and together with the treasurer and such other personnel as the Commission may deem appropriate shall be bonded in such amount as the Commission shall determine. The executive director shall be secretary.

E. Irrespective of the civil service, personnel or other merit system laws of any of the party State, the executive director subject to the approval of the steering committee shall appoint, remove or discharge such personnel as may be necessary for the performance of the functions of the Commission, and shall fix the duties and compensation of such personnel. The Commission in its bylaws shall provide for the personnel policies and programs of the Commission.

F. The Commission may borrow, accept or contract for the services of personnel from any party jurisdiction, the United States, or any subdivision or agency of the aforementioned governments, or from any agency of two or more of the party jurisdictions or their subdivisions.

G. The Commission may accept for any of its purposes and functions under this compact any and all donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, conditional or otherwise, from any State, the United States, or any other governmental agency, or from any person, firm, association, foundation, or corporation, and may receive, utilize and dispose of the same. Any donation or grant accepted by the Commission pursuant to this Paragraph or services borrowed pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Article shall be reported in the annual report of the Commission. Such report shall include the nature, amount and conditions, if any, of the donation, grant, or services borrowed, and the identity of the donor or lender.

H. The Commission may establish and maintain such facilities as may be necessary for the transacting of its business. The Commission may acquire, hold, and convey real and personal property and any interest therein.

I. The Commission shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business and shall have the power to amend and rescind these bylaws. The Commission shall publish its bylaws in convenient form and shall file a copy thereof and a copy of any amendment thereto, with the appropriate agency or officer in each of the party States.

J. The Commission annually shall make to the Governor and legislature of each party State a report covering the activities of the Commission for the preceding year. The Commission may make such additional reports as it may deem desirable.

ARTICLE IV

POWERS

In addition to authority conferred on the Commission by other provisions of the compact, the Commission shall have authority to:

1. Collect, correlate, analyze and interpret information and data concerning educational needs and resources.

2. Encourage and foster research in all aspects of education, but with special reference to the desirable scope of instruction, organization, administration, and instructional methods and standards employed or suitable for employment in public educational systems.

3. Develop proposals for adequate financing of education as a whole and at each of its many levels.

4. Conduct or participate in research of the types referred to in this Article in any instance where the Commission finds that such research is necessary for the advancement of the purposes and policies of this compact, utilizing fully the resources of national associations, regional compact organizations for higher education, and other agencies and institutions, both public and private.

5. Formulate suggested policies and plans for the improvement of public education as a whole, or for any segment thereof, and make recommendations with respect thereto available to the appropriate governmental units, agencies and public officials.

6. Do such other things as may be necessary or incidental to the administration of any of its authority or functions pursuant to this compact.

ARTICLE V

COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

A. If the laws of the United States specifically so provide, or if administrative provision is made therefor within the Federal Government, the United States may be represented on the Commission by not to exceed ten representatives. Any such representative or representatives of the United States shall be appointed and serve in such manner as may be provided by or pursuant to Federal law, and may be drawn from any one or more branches of the Federal Government, but no such representative shall have a vote on the Commission.

B. The Commission may provide information and make recommendations to any executive or legislative agency or officer of the Federal Government concerning the common educational policies of the States, and may advise with any such agencies or officers concerning any matter of mutual interest.

ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES

A. To assist in the expeditious conduct of its business when the full Commission is not meeting, the Commission shall elect a steering committee of thirty members which, subject to the provisions of this compact and consistent with the policies of the Commission, shall be constituted and function as provided in the by-laws of the Commission. One-third of the voting membership of the steering committee shall consist of Governors, and the remainder shall consist of other members of the Commission. A Federal representative on the Commission may serve with the Steering Committee but without vote. The voting members of the steering committee shall serve for terms of two years, except that members elected to the first steering committee of the Commission shall be elected as follows: fifteen for one year and fifteen for two years. The chairman, vice chairman, and treasurer of the Commission shall be members of the steering committee and, anything in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, shall serve during their continuance in those offices. Vacancies in the steering committee shall not affect its authority to act, but the Commission at its next regularly ensuing meeting following the occurrence of any vacancy shall fill it for the unexpired term. No person shall serve more than two terms as a member of the steering committee; provided that service for a partial term of one year or less shall not be counted toward the two term limitation.

B. The Commission may establish advisory and technical committees composed of State, local, and Federal officials, and private persons to advise it with respect to any one or more of its functions. Any advisory or technical committee may, on request of the States concerned, be established to consider any matter of special concern to two or more of the party States.

C. The Commission may establish such additional committees as its by-laws may provide.

ARTICLE VII

FINANCE

A. The Commission shall advise the Governor or designated officer or officers of each party State of its budget and estimated expenditures for such period as may be required by the laws of that party State. Each of the Commission's budgets of estimated expenditures shall contain specific recommendations of the amount or amounts to be appropriated by each of the party States.

B. The total amount of appropriation requests under any budget shall be apportioned among the party states. In making such apportionment, the Commission shall devise and employ a formula which takes equitable account of the populations and per capita income levels of the party States.

C. The Commission shall not pledge the credit of any party States. The Commission may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part with funds available to it pursuant to Article III(g) of this compact, provided that the Commission takes specific action setting aside such funds prior to incurring an obligation to be met in whole or in part in such manner. Except where the Commission makes use of funds available to it pursuant to Article III(g) thereof, the Commission shall not incur any obligation prior to the allotment of funds by the party States adequate to meet the same.

D. The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedure established by its by-laws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall be audited yearly by a qualified public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual reports of the Commission.

E. The accounts of the Commission shall be open at any reasonable time for inspection by duly constituted officers of the party States and by any persons authorized by the Commission.

F. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent Commission compliance with laws relating to audit or inspection of accounts by or on behalf of any government contributing to the support of the Commission.

ARTICLE VIII

ELIGIBLE PARTIES ENTRY INTO AND WITHDRAWAL

A. This compact shall have as eligible parties all States, Territories, and Possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In respect of any such jurisdiction not having a Governor, the term "Governor", as used in this compact, shall mean the closest equivalent official of such jurisdiction.

B. Any State or other eligible jurisdiction may enter into this compact and it shall become binding thereon when it has adopted the same: provided that in order to enter into initial effect, adoption by at least ten eligible party jurisdictions shall be required.

C. Adoption of the compact may be either by enactment thereof or by adherence thereto by the Governor; provided that in the absence of enactment, adherence by the Governor shall be sufficient to make this State a party only until December 31, 1967. During any period when a State is participating in this compact through gubernatorial action, the Governor shall appoint those persons who, in addition to himself, shall serve as the members of the Commission from his State, and shall provide to the Commission an equitable share of the financial support of the Commission from any source available to him.

D. Except for a withdrawal effective on December 31, 1967 in accordance with paragraph C of this Article, any party State may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same, but no such withdrawal shall take effect until one year after the Governor of the withdrawing State has given notice in writing of the withdrawal to the Governors of all other party States. No withdrawal shall affect any liability already incurred by or chargeable to a party State prior to the time of such withdrawal.

ARTICLE IX

CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY

This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any State or of the United States, or the application thereof to any Government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any Government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any State participating therein, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the State affected as to all severable matters.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 364, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:427.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 427.2
Critical Teacher Shortage Incentive Program; creation; purpose; definitions; contracts; administration; implementation; reporting; funding
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created the Critical Teacher Shortage Incentive Program, referred to in this Section as the "program", for the purpose of providing each newly certified teacher who agrees to practice his profession as a classroom teacher in the elementary or secondary schools of the state in the area of mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, or special education, three thousand dollars per year for the first four consecutive years for which the teacher practices his profession as provided in this Section.

B. For purposes of this Section, "newly certified teacher" shall mean an individual who holds a valid Louisiana teaching certificate issued by the state Department of Education in the area of mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, or special education and who becomes employed as a classroom teacher in at least one of such areas of certification in a public elementary or secondary school in this state for the first time for the 2004-2005 school year.

C. The program shall be administered by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, referred to in this Section as the "board", in accordance with such rules and regulations, established by the board pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, as are necessary for the implementation and administration of the program. Such rules and regulations shall include but shall not be limited to a requirement that the teacher enter into a contract with the board as part of the teacher certification process, agreeing to the terms and conditions as set forth in the contract including those specified in Subsection A of this Section. The board shall determine for each year of the contract with the teacher whether or not the teacher has complied with the terms of the contract. In making such determination the board shall consult with the principal of the school where the teacher is employed, who shall certify to the board at the end of each school year whether or not the teacher has met the terms of the contract relative to employment in his area of certification. If the teacher fails to comply with the terms of the contract as determined by the board, the teacher shall not receive the amount of funds as specified in Subsection A of this Section for that year.

D. Implementation of the program as provided in this Section shall be subject to the appropriation of funds for such purpose.

E. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide a written report annually to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education on the implementation of the program. Such report shall include but shall not be limited to data collected by the board that identifies the critical teacher shortage areas that exist each year, if any, and the number of certified teachers employed in each area, as well as those needed in each area. At least once every two years, the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education shall meet jointly to review the data collected to determine if there is a continued need for the program and to recommend any necessary changes to the program based upon the information submitted by the board.

Acts 2001, No. 125, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1069, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2151.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 2151.1
Revolving funds; retention of surpluses
Status: in_force

A. The colleges under the control of the State Board of Education are authorized to retain any surpluses at the end of each fiscal year resulting from the operations of the various facilities operated within the revolving funds of said colleges and after servicing of bonds issued under authority of Act 619 of 1954; provided that such surpluses are to be expended within one year after the close of each fiscal year for the purchase of equipment, repairs, and improvements to existing revolving fund facilities, when approved by the commissioner of administration.

B. Provided further that this dedication of funds is applicable to any surplus balances in the revolving funds as of June 30, 1956.

Added by Acts 1956, No. 119, §§1, 2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:181 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 181
Vocational agricultural, agribusiness, and agriscience programs; funding
Status: in_force

Effective with the 1997-1998 school year and thereafter, the governing authority of each public secondary school shall allocate annually to each secondary school in the school system, in addition to any other funding, not less than fifty dollars per student enrolled at the school in a vocational agriculture, agribusiness, or agriscience program for use in providing adequate instructional materials and supplies for such students.

Acts 1997, No. 447, §1, eff. July 1, 1997.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:221.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 221.2
Assignment of pupils; parental request
Status: in_force

A.(1) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, if not specifically contrary to the provisions of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction providing for the assignment of pupils within the school system, and except as otherwise provided by Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, a city or parish school board shall assign a student to attend any public school requested by a parent or other person responsible for the student's school attendance when the requested school has space available and is of a suitable grade level, and the child resides not more than one mile from such school measured by the distance to be traveled on public streets or highways, or by the boundary of a subdivision. The provisions of this Section shall apply regardless of parish boundaries and the respective school boards shall work together to ensure compliance herewith.

(2) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and if not specifically contrary to the provisions of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction providing for the assignment of pupils within the school system, a city or parish school board in Caddo Parish or St. Tammany Parish shall assign a student to attend any public high school requested by a parent or other person responsible for the student's school attendance when the requested school has space available and is of a suitable grade level, and the child resides not more than two miles from such school measured by the distance to be traveled on public streets or highways, or by the boundary of a subdivision. A school board shall not be required to provide transportation to any student enrolled in high school pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph.

B. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to affect in any way the rules and regulations of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association regarding eligibility for participation in interscholastic athletics.

C. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to Orleans Parish.

D. No state money shall be used to discriminate or have the effect of discriminating in providing equal education opportunities.

Acts 1992, No. 899, §1, eff. July 8, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 792, §1; Acts 2011, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 41, §1, eff. June 12, 2011.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:1831 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 1831
Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System; creation; membership; terms of office; vacancies
Status: in_force

A. The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System, referred to hereinafter in this part as the board, is created as a body corporate.

B. The board shall be composed of fifteen members. Two members from each congressional district shall be appointed by the governor and one or more members shall be appointed by the governor from the state at large. All such appointments shall be made with the consent of the Senate.

C. The terms of the members shall be six years, except that the terms of the initial members shall be as provided in Subsection E of R.S. 17:1832. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and take office.

D.(1) A vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term within thirty days after the effective date of the vacancy by appointment by the governor, with the consent of the Senate.

(2) Within twenty-four hours after being informed of a vacancy on the board, the president of the board or the officer exercising his duties shall notify the governor by certified mail of the vacancy and the effective date thereof.

Added by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 2012, No. 803, §3, eff. Dec. 10, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 220, §6, eff. June 11, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3082 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3082
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) "ABLE account" means a special savings account for financing of certain qualified expenses of persons with disabilities as specifically provided for in this Chapter that conforms with all applicable standards and requirements set forth for ABLE accounts in the ABLE Act.

(2) "ABLE account program" and "program" mean the special savings account program provided for in this Chapter that meets applicable standards and requirements necessary for designation as a "qualified ABLE program" as defined in the ABLE Act.

(3) "ABLE Act" means the Stephen Beck, Jr., ABLE Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-295, Division B).

(4) "Advisory Council" means the ABLE Account Advisory Council.

(5) "Authority" means the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority.

(6) "Designated beneficiary" has the meaning ascribed in 26 U.S.C. 529A(e).

(7) "Eligible individual" means a person with a disability who meets the criteria necessary to qualify as an eligible individual as provided in 26 U.S.C. 529A(e).

(8) "Qualified disability expense" means an expense made for a purpose authorized in federal law and regulation relative to ABLE accounts for the benefit of a person with a disability who is a designated beneficiary participating in the program. If authorized by federal law and regulation, qualified disability expenses may include the following:

(a) Assistive technology and personal support service expenses for devices and services that facilitate maintenance of health, independence, and quality of life.

(b) Education expenses, including tuition for preschool through postsecondary education, which shall include higher education expenses and expenses for books, supplies, and educational materials related to preschool and secondary education, tutors, and special education services.

(c) Employment support expenses related to obtaining and maintaining employment, including job-related training, assistive technology, and personal assistance supports.

(d) Health, prevention, and wellness expenses including but not limited to the following, provided that the equipment and services listed in this Subparagraph conform with any applicable rule or regulation of the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Rehabilitation Services program of Louisiana Works:

(i) Premiums for health insurance.

(ii) Medical, vision, dental, and mental healthcare expenses.

(iii) Habilitation and rehabilitation services.

(iv) Durable medical equipment.

(v) Therapy.

(vi) Respite care.

(vii) Long-term services and supports.

(viii) Nutritional management.

(ix) Communication services and devices, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology.

(x) Personal assistance.

(e) Housing expenses for a primary residence, including rent, purchase of a primary residence or an interest in a primary residence, mortgage payments, real property taxes, and utility charges.

(f) Miscellaneous expenses, including expenses for financial management and administrative services; legal fees; expenses for oversight; monitoring; home improvements, modifications, maintenance, and repairs at a primary residence; and funeral and burial expenses.

(g) Transportation expenses, including the use of mass transit, the purchase or modification of vehicles, and moving expenses.

(h) Any other expenses that are consistent with the purposes of this Chapter, authorized by federal law, approved by the authority, and provided for in duly promulgated administrative rules.

Acts 2016, No. 604, §1; Acts 2022, No. 374, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:3136 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 3136
Disclosure of postsecondary student education records; access to parents of dependent children
Status: in_force

A. The purpose of this Section is to provide for the access of a parent to view the education records of their dependent child as provided under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

B. The Board of Regents shall require each postsecondary education management board to submit a policy from each of its institutions that provides for the notification to parents that information from an education record of a student may be disclosed to the parent of a dependent child, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code, as provided in this Section and in compliance with 20 USC 1232g and 34 CFR 99 et seq., as amended.

C.(1) Each policy shall, at a minimum, provide for:

(a) Notification to parents of the provisions of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the requirements to access a dependent child's records.

(b) A requirement that a parent verify and document that a student is the dependent child of the parent.

(2) If circumstances effectively prevent the parent from viewing the student's education record, then the institution may do one of the following:

(i) Provide the parent with a copy of the records requested.

(ii) Make other arrangements for the parent to view the records requested.

(3) An institution may charge a fee to copy or mail an education record which is made for the parent, unless the imposition of such a fee effectively prevents a parent from viewing such records.

D. An institution shall provide access to either parent of a dependent child under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and R.S. 9:351, unless evidence has been provided that a court has issued an order revoking these rights.

E. Any policy adopted by a public institution of postsecondary education under the provisions of this Section shall comply with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 USC 1232g and 34 CFR 99 et seq., as amended).

Acts 2003, No. 540, §1, eff. June 27, 2003.
La. Rev. Stat. § 17:391.13 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 17 / Section 391.13
Talent Search Program
Status: in_force

The state Department of Education, with the approval of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, shall develop a Talent Search Program at the junior high school level to identify students with above-average abilities and to encourage their entry into programs which further develop those abilities. The program shall be based upon standards developed by the board which shall incorporate provisions of current student testing programs.

Acts 1985, No. 257, §1, eff. July 6, 1985.