reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:391.6. Content course evaluation

RS 17:391.6 - Content course evaluation
A. From time to time, as the superintendent of education may determine, the state Department of Education shall conduct studies of the effectiveness of various courses, in addition to the basic communication and computation skills courses, offered by the public schools of this state. Such studies shall include details of the specific objectives of the courses and the level of achievement attained by students enrolled in such courses and, for this purpose, the department may use the results of any test administered under the provisions of this Part.
B. Upon the completion of such a study by the state Department of Education pursuant to this Section, the department shall report its findings, and recommendations, if any, to the legislature not later than January 1 of the year succeeding completion of the study.
C. The department shall maintain the anonymity of all students involved and local school board personnel. The department may make analyses involving other factors, including but not limited to general categories of pedagogies in use, type of district organization, geographic area, socioeconomic data, size of school district, or other analytical items which may prove useful.
D. The governing board of any school district shall cooperate fully with the superintendent of education in making its schools available for such studies; provided, that the state Department of Education shall provide all necessary materials. Such evaluation materials may include texts, books, references, tests, library print and nonprint materials, equipment, and other materials necessary for the orderly conduct of a study.
Acts 1977, No. 621, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:391.7. Testing

RS 17:391.7 - Testing
A. Each school board shall report to the superintendent of education, pursuant to rules and regulations established by and pursuant to this Part, the results of all achievement and scholastic aptitude tests administered pursuant to this Part or any other standardized tests administered pursuant to this Part.
B. The districtwide results of such tests, but not the score or relative position of individual pupils, shall be reported by the school board at least once a year at a regularly scheduled meeting.
C. At the request of the superintendent of education, and in accordance with rules and regulations which the superintendent of education may adopt, each parish superintendent of schools shall cooperate with and give assistance to individual local schools under his jurisdiction in carrying out the testing programs of such districts and other duties imposed on school boards and school districts by this Part.
D. No city or parish superintendent of schools, nor any principal or teacher of any elementary or secondary school under his charge shall carry on any program of specific preparation of the pupils within the district for the testing program using the particular test used therein. The tests shall reflect the objectives and goals adopted for each subject and/or grade level as established pursuant to R.S. 17:391.4.
E. Repealed by Acts 1979, No. 750, §4, eff. July 20, 1979.
F. Prior to administration, descriptions of tests and other evaluation instruments, either prescribed by or developed pursuant to this Part, shall be submitted to all school personnel and the parents of all pupils subject to such tests.
G. No provision of this Part shall be construed to mean, require, or direct any city or parish school system to develop any tests or test programs under this Part or the guidelines established pursuant to this Part. The Department of Education shall develop and provide for the administration of all tests and test programs pursuant to this Part, and the guidelines established pursuant thereto; provided, however, that the superintendent of education may require city and parish school systems to administer tests and test programs under this Part and said guidelines if funds are made available specifically for this purpose. No provision of this Part shall be construed in any manner so as to prohibit any city or parish school system from developing and administering any tests or test programs for local use.
Acts 1977, No. 621, §1. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 346, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:391.8. Reports

RS 17:391.8 - Reports
The superintendent of education shall make such reports to the legislature in addition to those specifically required in this Part as he shall deem appropriate and shall be required to make such recommendations to the legislature as he deems appropriate concerning appropriate or necessary legislation with respect to the results of the accountability and assessment programs established by and pursuant to this Part.
Acts 1977, No. 621, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:391.9. Public school accreditation

RS 17:391.9 - Public school accreditation
Not later than the 1979-1980 school year, the superintendent of education shall develop and institute accreditation standards for public schools based upon the attainment of educational objectives and goals established by this Part; provided, however, that such accreditation standards shall take into account the educational advantages and disadvantages imposed upon pupils by the home and out-of-school environment. The superintendent of education shall implement a system of public school accreditation in such school year based on such standards. Attainment of educational objectives and goals established by this part shall be one factor to be considered in the accreditation of public schools along with other factors now being considered.
Acts 1977, No. 621, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:391.10. Monitoring of programs by Department of Education

RS 17:391.10 - Monitoring of programs by Department of Education
A. The state Department of Education shall periodically monitor all programs of educational accountability established pursuant to the provisions of this Part. The methodology to be used in monitoring such programs shall be established by the state Department of Education with the approval of its governing authority and shall be sufficient to determine whether such programs have been implemented, to what extent they have been implemented, and whether such programs comply with the provisions of this Part. Copies of the accountability evaluation procedure, evaluation forms, and program as established by the local school board and approved by the state Department of Education shall be distributed through the local school systems to all employees affected by the educational accountability program.
B. If, in conducting such monitoring, the state Department of Education determines that a school system has failed to implement its programs of educational accountability properly or that a school system has failed to comply with the provisions of this Part, the state Department of Education shall notify such system of such failure, and the school system shall correct such failure within sixty calendar days after receiving such notification. The state Department of Education shall also notify the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education of such failure by the school system.
If the failures are not corrected within the prescribed sixty calendar days, the state Department of Education shall notify the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education of such continued failure and shall recommend to the board whatever sanctions against such school system the department deems appropriate. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall act upon such recommendation within sixty calendar days after its receipt.
Added by Acts 1980, No. 605, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:391.11. School readiness assessment; kindergarten instrument selection; administration; reporting

RS 17:391.11 - School readiness assessment; kindergarten instrument selection; administration; reporting
A. The governing authority of each public school offering kindergarten classes shall require that every child entering kindergarten for the first time be given a valid and reliable readiness assessment. The results of this assessment shall be used for measuring student readiness for kindergarten and for planning instruction.
B. The state Department of Education shall review, in consultation with the Child Care Association of Louisiana, the Louisiana Head Start Association, and BrightStart, Louisiana's Early Childhood Advisory Council, the available valid and reliable individually administered readiness tests and shall recommend to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education tests acceptable for use as provided in this Section.
C. Each child entering kindergarten for the first time shall be assessed at the beginning of the school year. The parent or guardian of each child shall be advised of the nature of the child's level of readiness.
D. Each public school governing authority shall report to the state Department of Education assessment results by school on an annual basis by December first of each year as required by the state Department of Education.
E. The state shall pay the cost of state required assessment materials and reporting required by law or regulation pursuant to this Section.
Acts 1985, No. 257, §1, eff. July 6, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 146, §1, eff. July 2, 1986; Acts 1986, No 407, §1; Acts 1989, No. 241, §1, eff. June 26, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 478, §1; Acts 2011, No. 249, §1.
NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 146, §4.
NOTE: See Acts 2011, No. 249, §2, relative to implementation of Section as funds are available and full implementation by the 2015-2016 school year.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:391.13. Talent Search Program

RS 17:391.13 - Talent Search Program
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.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:392.1. Screening and intervention; purpose; applicability; city and parish school system; duties

RS 17:392.1 - Screening and intervention; purpose; applicability; city and parish school system; duties
A.(1) The legislature acknowledges that identification of and adjustment to the individual characteristics that affect a child's learning style will improve a child's opportunity to succeed in school. Some of the characteristics that some children bring to school with them are products of learning disorders and/or social or environmental risk factors that, if identified, acknowledged, and addressed can be mitigated or alleviated.
(2) It is the purpose of this Part to intervene with regard to any impediments to a successful school experience that exist for children as early as possible in their schooling and to bring to bear all resources that can be made available in a school setting to address any difficulty a child may have and make it possible for him to begin school ready and able to learn.
B.(1) Every child in public school in grades kindergarten through third shall be screened, at least once, for the existence of impediments to a successful school experience. No child shall be screened if his parent or tutor objects to such screening.
(2) Such impediments shall include:
(a) Repealed by Acts 2023, No. 266, §2.
(b) Attention deficit disorder.
(c) Social and environmental factors that put a child at risk of dropping out of school.
(3) Repealed by Acts 2023, No. 266, §2.
C. Screenings as required by this Section shall have one or more of the following results:
(1) No indication of need for services.
(2) Indication of need for services to ameliorate the effect of a possible learning disorder.
(3) Indication of need for assistance to ameliorate the effect of a possible risk factor.
(4) Referral for further evaluation for the existence of eligibility for the receipt of special education services.
D. Children in need of services or assistance shall have it provided to them. Children who are referred for further evaluation shall be provided further evaluation in accordance with Chapter 8 of this Title.
E. The screenings required by this Section shall be done directly by elementary school counselors, pupil appraisal personnel, teachers, or any other professional employees of the school system who have been appropriately trained, all of whom shall operate as advocates for the children identified as needing services or assistance pursuant to this Part. No screenings shall be done by persons who have not been trained to do such screenings, consistent with the requirements established for such training by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
F. Repealed by Acts 2023, No. 266, §2.
Acts 1992, No. 1120, §1, eff. July 14, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 581, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2018, No. 307, §1; Acts 2021, No. 275, §4; Acts 2021, No. 419, §1; Acts 2022, No. 374, §1; Acts 2022, No. 622, §1; Acts 2023, No. 266, §§1, 2.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:392.3. Implementation

RS 17:392.3 - Implementation
It is the intention of the legislature that the costs relative to the implementation of the provisions of this Part shall be covered by funds appropriated by the state. Such funds shall include those appropriated pursuant to the minimum foundation program.
Acts 1992, No. 1120, §1, eff. July 14, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 581, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:392.11. Dyslexia; screening and reporting

RS 17:392.11 - Dyslexia; screening and reporting
A. As used in this Part:
(1) "Dyslexia" means an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader, most commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological processing, which affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, and spell.
(2) "Phonological processing" means the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken and written language.
B.(1) The state Department of Education shall select a dyslexia screener with an area under the curve of 0.80 or above and provide the screener, at no cost, to each public school. The dyslexia screener shall be administered to each student by a classroom teacher in the second half of kindergarten or upon request of a teacher or a parent or legal guardian. This screener shall not be a progress monitoring tool but shall:
(a) Be developed solely for dyslexia.
(b) Be evidence-based with proven, published psychometric validity.
(c) Be used for the sole purpose of determining whether a student is at risk for dyslexia.
(2) If the results of such screening indicate that a student is at risk for dyslexia, the parent or guardian shall be notified within thirty days of the results of the screening.
(3) The implementation of the provisions of this Subsection shall be subject to the appropriation of funds by the legislature for this purpose.
C.(1) Each public school governing authority shall submit a report to the state Department of Education by December fifteenth annually relative to the occurrence of dyslexia. The report shall include numbers of students of all grade levels identified as dyslexic, either pursuant to the provisions of this Section or by any other means, and shall include, per grade, all of the following:
(a) For students identified as dyslexic through a Section 504 Plan:
(i) The number initially identified during the preceding school year.
(ii) The total number.
(b) For students with an Individualized Education Plan identified as having a specific learning disability, dyslexia:
(i) The number initially identified during the preceding school year.
(ii) The total number.
(2) The state Department of Education shall compile the reports received pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection and report such data to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education no later than March first annually.
(3) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, if the number of students in a grade level identified as dyslexic is not zero and not more than ten, the report shall not indicate an exact number but shall indicate that there are fewer than eleven students in the grade identified as dyslexic.
Acts 2023, No. 266, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:392.12. Dyslexia practitioner; dyslexia therapist; ancillary certificates

RS 17:392.12 - Dyslexia practitioner; dyslexia therapist; ancillary certificates
A. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop the criteria whereby a teacher may be issued a dyslexia practitioner ancillary certificate or a dyslexia therapist ancillary certificate.
B. In addition to any other criteria established by the board, in order to be issued an ancillary certificate pursuant to this Section, a teacher shall:
(1) Hold a valid Louisiana teaching certificate.
(2) Demonstrate completion of a multisensory structured language training program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization, which shall include:
(a) For the dyslexia practitioner ancillary certificate, forty-five hours of coursework and sixty hours of clinical work that is observed and monitored by a qualified professional.
(b) For the dyslexia therapist ancillary certificate, two hundred hours of coursework and seven hundred hours of clinical work that is observed and monitored by a qualified professional.
(3) Pass a multisensory structured language education-related competency examination that is administered by a nationally recognized professional organization that issues national certifications.
Acts 2023, No. 266, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:394. Short title

RS 17:394 - Short title
This Part shall be known and may be cited as the "Louisiana Remedial Education Act."
Added by Acts 1980, No. 433, §1, eff. July 21, 1980; Acts 1986, No. 698, §1, eff. June 1, 1987.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:395. Statement of purpose

RS 17:395 - Statement of purpose
A. The purpose of this Part is to provide supplemental funds for the delivery of supplemental remedial instruction adapted for those eligible students in the elementary and secondary schools of this state as set forth in the city and parish school board pupil progression plans approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. A program of remedial education shall be put into place by local parish and city parish school systems following regulations adopted by the state Department of Education and approved by the state board pursuant to R.S. 17:24.4. All eligible students shall be provided with appropriate remedial instruction.
B. Student mastery of grade appropriate skills remediated in English language arts and mathematics shall be evaluated in terms of mastery criteria established through the city and parish pupil progression plans as approved by the department and state board. Beyond the goal of achievement in grade appropriate skills, additional goals of this Part are to give students a sense of success, prevent their alienation from school, and prevent their early departure from school.
C. Instruction in the state-funded remedial program shall be based on student deficits as identified through the state testing program in English language arts and mathematics. Included in the instruction shall be the mastery of the prerequisite skills in the areas of deficiency.
D. The parish and city school boards shall develop, as part of their pupil progression plans, mastery criteria based on the state board-approved Louisiana state standards. These mastery criteria shall be used in determining the extent of student achievement in those grade appropriate skills of English language arts and mathematics in which he was found deficient. The parish and city school boards shall describe the methods used to measure student achievement of these criteria.
E. Each student achieving mastery criteria shall continue receiving instruction for maintenance of grade appropriate skills. The amount of instruction shall be based upon student need.
Added by Acts 1980, No. 433, §1, eff. July 21, 1980. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 138, §1, eff. July 12, 1982; Acts 1986, No. 698, §1, eff. June 1, 1987; Acts 2022, No. 374, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:396. Definitions

RS 17:396 - Definitions
As used in this Part, the following terms have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) "Department" means the state Department of Education.
(2) "Pupil progression plan" means the comprehensive plan developed and adopted by each city and parish school board which shall be based on student performance in the state testing program with goals and objectives which are compatible with the Louisiana competency-based education program contained within R.S. 17:24.4, and which supplements the standards approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Particular emphasis shall be placed upon the student's mastery of grade appropriate skills in English language arts and mathematics before recommendations are made for the student's promotion or placement, provided that other factors shall be considered.
(3) "Remedial program" means a program to assist students to overcome educational deficits identified as a result of the state's testing program.
(4) "State board" means the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Added by Acts 1980, No. 433, §1, eff. July 21, 1980. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 138, §1, eff. July 12, 1982; Acts 1986, No. 698, §1, eff. June 1, 1987; Acts 2022, No. 374, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:397. Student eligibility

RS 17:397 - Student eligibility
A student eligible for remedial education shall be defined as a student in the elementary and secondary schools of this state who does not meet the performance standards as established by the department and approved by the state board. Each city and parish school board shall maintain a systematic process for identifying children who are eligible for remedial education.
Added by Acts 1980, No. 433, §1, eff. July 21, 1980; Acts 1986, No. 698, §1, eff. June 1, 1987.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:398. Allocation of funds; pilot programs; inclusion within the minimum foundation program

RS 17:398 - Allocation of funds; pilot programs; inclusion within the minimum foundation program
A. Funds shall be appropriated annually to the department for the remedial education program in the form of a line item within the general appropriations bill. These funds shall be distributed to the parish and city school boards on a per pupil per subject area basis to be used solely for those students requiring remedial education. Compensatory or remedial teachers shall possess the appropriate certification as required by the state board. Parish and city school boards may employ educators already employed as regular or special education classroom teachers to provide remedial instruction. These educators may receive additional compensation for remedial instruction, provided the services are performed in addition to their regular duties. Parish and city school boards may employ other qualified personnel to provide remedial instruction in accordance with regulations adopted by the state board.
B. For funding purposes, a student receiving remediation in English language arts and mathematics shall be counted for both areas. Students who are counted to generate funds for remedial education are also eligible to generate allotments for regular or special education teachers, or both. Students receiving services directed toward the educational deficits identified through the state testing program shall be eligible for funding. Local remedial plans shall comply with established regulations adopted by the department and approved by the state board pursuant to R.S. 17:24.4.
Added by Acts 1980, No. 433, §1, eff. July 21, 1980. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 138, §1, eff. July 12, 1982; Acts 1986, No. 698, §1, eff. June 1, 1987; Acts 1992, No. 454, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:399. Program for remedial education; distribution of funds to local city and parish school boards; regulations

RS 17:399 - Program for remedial education; distribution of funds to local city and parish school boards; regulations
A. To be eligible to receive funds under this Part, a city or parish school board shall describe in writing its proposed remedial education program as set forth in its pupil progression plan according to regulations adopted by the state board. The description shall include all remedial instruction and proposals for program improvement. Proposals shall include a narrative which shall incorporate the following:
(1) A statement of the educational objectives and how they are determined.
(2) The student population to be served and the selection criteria to be used.
(3) The methodologies to be utilized in meeting the educational problems.
(4) A description of the course content to be taught.
(5) A detailed budget including excess costs above regular programs.
(6) An evaluation plan encompassing both the educational process and the extent of growth and achievement evidenced by pupils.
B. The programs provided by funds received under this Part shall meet the following criteria:
(1) The program is based on performance objectives related to educational achievement in grade appropriate skills addressed through the statewide curriculum standards for required subjects, and provides supplementary services designed to meet the educational needs of each participating student.
(2) The program is evaluated according to regulations approved by the state board.
(3) The state and local funds expended in the program shall be accounted for separately from all other funds expended by the city or parish school board. Expenditures shall be reported as a categorical program in the manner prescribed by the state board.
(4) The program shall be coordinated with locally funded or federally funded, or both, remedial education programs, but shall remain as a separate remedial program to be funded by the state.
(5) Each pupil progression plan shall contain an assurance that the use of grant funds will not result in a decrease in the use for educationally deprived children of state, local, or federal funds which, in the absence of funds under the remedial education program, have been made available for the education of such children. No project under the remedial education program shall be approved unless the state funds for the remedial education program will not be used to supplant other state, local, or federal funds being used for the education of such students.
Added by Acts 1980, No. 433, §1, eff. July 21, 1980. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 138, §1, eff. July 12, 1982; Acts 1986, No. 698, §1, eff. June 1, 1987.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:400. Administration; technical assistance and monitoring; rules and regulations by the state board; annual reporting; effectiveness

RS 17:400 - Administration; technical assistance and monitoring; rules and regulations by the state board; annual reporting; effectiveness
A. The department shall be utilized as needed to provide technical assistance to the city and parish school boards and to carry out the department's responsibilities for reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating the remedial programs conducted under this Part. If the department determines through its monitoring authority that a city or parish board is not actually providing the type of remedial education program that was approved through its pupil progression plan or is not complying with state evaluation regulations, the department shall withhold remedial education funding until such time as it is determined that the school board is in compliance with its approved pupil progression plan and with state evaluation regulations.
B. The state board shall adopt rules which in its opinion are necessary to assure that the programs in each city and parish school system are carried out in a manner consistent with the purpose and intent of this Part. The state superintendent of education shall prepare an annual report which shall contain:
(1) The number of students participating in programs under this Part.
(2) The level of student achievement.
(3) An analysis of the expenditure of funds by the city and parish boards.
The report shall be transmitted to the state board and the Joint Committee on Education of the Louisiana Legislature.
Added by Acts 1980, No. 433, §1, eff. July 21, 1980. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 138, §1, eff. July 12, 1982; Acts 1986, No. 698, §1, eff. June 1, 1987.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:401.11. Purpose

RS 17:401.11 - Purpose
A. It is the primary purpose of this Part to provide for enriching the educational opportunities and experiences of all public school students in Louisiana who, for any reason, need extra instruction, reinforcement, or time on task in order to be able to achieve mastery of the basic skills of reading, mathematics, and writing.
B. It is the secondary purpose of this Part to provide an opportunity to city and parish school systems to explore the best and most engaging ways to help children learn and master basic skills with the maximum of flexibility and sufficient resources so that such information may be used to enhance instruction in regular school year practice.
Acts 1997, No. 735, §1, eff. July 9, 1997.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:402. Findings and purpose

RS 17:402 - Findings and purpose
A. The legislature finds that the use and abuse of alcohol, drugs, and other substances among the children of school age in this state is a problem of serious concern and destructive societal impact and that the incidence of alcohol, drug, and substance abuse among the young is high. Substance abuse leads to serious consequences and impairs one's ability to perform normally and productively in his educational and social environment. The legislature also finds that dependence on alcohol, drug, or other substances is an illness that can be prevented, identified, and treated. The legislature further finds that substantial alleviation of these problems may result from the development and implementation of comprehensive education programs and counseling in the public school systems of this state, combined with an enhanced law enforcement effort in the area of schools.
B. The purpose of this Part is to create a comprehensive program of alcohol, drug, and substance abuse prevention and education, which brings together the education system and the criminal justice system to educate, prevent, and punish such abuses, culminating in a drug free zone in and around the public schools in the state. The existence of such zones should enhance the whole community by bringing a clear-minded student into an environment more conducive to learning.
Acts 1989, No. 171, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:403. Section on drug free schools and communities; program; section administrator; counselors

RS 17:403 - Section on drug free schools and communities; program; section administrator; counselors
A. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state superintendent of education shall establish and maintain within the bureau of student services of the state Department of Education a separate program section which shall be designated as the section on drug free schools and communities. The board shall adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to establish, operate, and maintain a state-wide alcohol, drug, and substance abuse education program for the benefit of students attending the schools of this state. The program may be extended to benefit adult citizens through adult education programs. The program shall be administered through the schools.
B. There shall be a section administrator of the section on drug free schools and communities who shall be appointed by the superintendent. The section administrator shall administer and be responsible for the affairs of the section on drug free schools and communities and the state-wide alcohol, drug, and substance abuse education program.
C.(1) There shall be addictive disorders professionals in every school system who regularly visit every secondary school and elementary school at a maximum of four schools to one counselor, for the purpose of counseling students who have been identified as having an alcohol, drug, or substance abuse problem. The duties of each counselor shall be coordinated by the section on drug-free schools and communities and each employing parish or city school system.
(2) Qualifications for addictive disorders professionals shall be determined, implemented, and enforced by the Louisiana Department of Health, office of behavioral health.
Acts 1989, No. 171, §1; Acts 2004, No. 803, §1, eff. July 8, 2004; Acts 2009, No. 384, §5, eff. July 1, 2010.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:406.1. Findings, declaration of necessity, and purpose

RS 17:406.1 - Findings, declaration of necessity, and purpose
A. It is hereby found and declared that:
(1) It has been clearly demonstrated that parental involvement in the schools is directly related to better student achievement, attitudes, and performance in school.
(2) Demographics of the American family are changing to the degree that significant numbers of children attending school come from families with single parents, families in which both parents are employed outside the home, families in which one or more of the parents lack the education and skill to assist their children in learning, and from environments in which the primary caregiver is not the biological parent.
(3) These demographics mean that current approaches to developing and maintaining partnerships between families and educators require review and modification to make them more responsive to the needs of both families and schools.
(4) The division of state agencies and functions often inhibits the development of coordinated policies to improve family involvement in the learning achievement of children and in the management of the schools.
(5) Effective approaches to involving families more fully as partners in the process of their children's learning require the participation and coordination of numerous state and local, public and private agencies and should be encouraged as a matter of state policy.
B. The purpose of this Part is to encourage state and local agencies to increase the involvement of parents and families in the improvement of the learning achievement of children and in the life of the schools.
Acts 1991, No. 448, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:406.2. Coordination of policies

RS 17:406.2 - Coordination of policies
The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall direct the state superintendent of education to convene, on a quarterly basis, a meeting of representatives of appropriate public and private, state and local agencies to discuss ways and means of coordinating policies to encourage, foster, and promote expanded parental and family involvement in the learning of their children and in the life of the schools. Each year, not later than sixty days prior to the regular session of the legislature, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall submit to the governor and to the House and Senate Committees on Education a report, based on the discussions held at the quarterly meetings conducted by the state superintendent of education, which shall identify the problems, if any, that state and local agencies are having in increasing the participation and involvement of parents in the learning of their children and in the life of the schools, the suggestions and recommendations that were made to improve such participation and involvement, and the superintendent's and board's response to these suggestions and recommendations.
Acts 1991, No. 448, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:406.3. Parental advocacy

RS 17:406.3 - Parental advocacy
The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop and issue necessary and appropriate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Part. Such rules and regulations shall include but need not be limited to a requirement that the state Department of Education, each city and parish school board, and each public elementary and secondary school identify a person or persons who shall serve as a parental advocate for the respective school, school board, or state agency. It shall be the function of each such parental advocate to develop and encourage positive means for increasing parental and family involvement and participation in the process of learning by children and in the life of the schools, to listen to and seek to resolve complaints made by parents and families against the respective school, school board, or state agency, and to assist the administrators and other employees of the respective school, school board, and state agency to improve communication and coordination with parents and families.
Acts 1991, No. 448, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:406.4. Clearinghouse of parental involvement

RS 17:406.4 - Clearinghouse of parental involvement
The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall require the state superintendent of education to establish, within the existing organizational structure of the state Department of Education, a clearinghouse of parental involvement. The clearinghouse shall gather, organize, and disseminate information from throughout the nation and state on research, laws, model applications, methods, and other strategies relating to parental and family involvement and participation in the learning of children and in the life of the schools.
Acts 1991, No. 448, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:406.5. Demonstration grants and other assistance

RS 17:406.5 - Demonstration grants and other assistance
A. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, through the state superintendent of education and state Department of Education, is hereby authorized to make demonstration grants and to provide other forms of state assistance to city and parish school boards and to other appropriate public and private agencies for the development of innovative and promising family-school educational partnership activities designed to:
(1) Support the efforts of families, including training, to the maximum extent practicable, to work with children in the home both to attain the instructional objective of the schools and to instill positive attitudes about the importance of education and learning in the life of the child.
(2) Train teachers and other staff personnel to work effectively as educational partners with the families of participating students.
(3) Train families, teachers, and other staff personnel in the schools to build an educational partnership between home and school.
(4) Evaluate how well family involvement activities of the school are working, what barriers exist to greater participation, and what steps are needed to be taken to expand participation in such family involvement activities.
(5) Purchase or develop courseware, software, communication aids, equipment, or materials relating to increasing the involvement and participation of families in the learning of children or in the life of the schools.
(6) Provide family learning or other community education courses in which families, together, may learn reading, math, and other subjects.
B. The provisions of this Section shall be applicable only to the extent that funds are made available for this purpose from public or private sources.
Acts 1991, No. 448, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:406.7. Parent-teacher conferences; required attendance; consequences

RS 17:406.7 - Parent-teacher conferences; required attendance; consequences
A.(1) A teacher shall schedule at least two parent-teacher conferences during the first semester each school year. At least one parent or guardian of the child shall attend or participate in at least one of the scheduled parent-teacher conferences.
(2) A teacher may not require a parent or guardian to attend a conference if the conference is deemed to be unnecessary due to the student's academic record.
(3) If a middle school or high school student has more than one teacher, the parent or guardian may participate in the conference by conference call.
B. The governing authority of each elementary and secondary school shall adopt rules relative to failure of the parent or guardian to attend at least one scheduled parent-teacher conference. The rules shall prohibit any negative action against the child as a result of the failure of a parent to attend a parent-teacher conference.
Acts 2012, No. 845, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:406.8. Parental involvement; parenting classes; recognition for participation

RS 17:406.8 - Parental involvement; parenting classes; recognition for participation
A. The governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school is authorized and encouraged to partner with individuals, community and faith-based groups and organizations, and nonprofit and for-profit entities to design and implement programs to increase parental involvement in children's education and schools.
B. The governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school may:
(1) Identify and encourage participation in parenting classes that are designed to increase parental involvement, are provided at low or no cost to parents, and that provide parents with information and skills related to improving student performance, including but not limited to the following:
(a) How to be a positive role model for children and motivate them to do well in school.
(b) How to maximize the benefits of parent-teacher conferences.
(c) The importance of sleep and good nutrition in school performance.
(d) How to help with homework assignments and to establish an environment conducive to their completion.
(e) Techniques for students to improve study habits and classroom performance.
(f) How to access and use any technology provided by the school or school governing authority that furnishes information about school assignments, activities, and events and about student attendance and performance.
(g) The importance of school attendance and the consequences of truancy.
(h) How to help students prepare for entrance into postsecondary education or the workforce.
(i) Ways of becoming involved in a child's school, including volunteer opportunities.
(2) Provide recognition in the following ways to schools and classes in which a high percentage of parents participate in at least two parenting classes:
(a) Solicit donations from individuals, community and faith-based groups and organizations, and nonprofit and for-profit entities to fund rewards such as equipment, supplies, field trips, and other educational activities.
(b) Devise other ways of providing recognition to schools and classes as well as to participating parents.
C.(1) The governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school shall encourage and provide opportunities for parents who participate in parenting classes to encourage participation by other parents, including those whose children are entering a school for the first time.
(2) The governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school and the state Department of Education may identify available funding sources that may be used to provide for such parenting classes.
Acts 2013, No. 306, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:407. Legislative intent

RS 17:407 - Legislative intent
A. The legislature finds and declares as follows:
(1) Developmentally appropriate early childhood programs have produced sizeable gains in the skill levels of educationally disadvantaged and at-risk children.
(2) Early childhood education programs facilitate the development of children who are economically disadvantaged and increase the chances that they will be more successful students and ultimately more productive citizens.
(3) Funding successful and innovative programs is required to increase the learning opportunities of children who are economically disadvantaged and provide for their optimal development.
(4) Many preschool children live in families in which both parents or the primary caregiver are employed such that these children require full day care in a developmentally appropriate environment.
B. Therefore, it is the intention of the legislature that every preschool child in Louisiana who is economically disadvantaged should have access to an educationally appropriate early childhood program which shall include but not be limited to parental involvement, center-based programs, and before and after care.
Acts 1992, No. 970, §1, eff. July 9, 1992; Acts 2018, No. 307, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:407.1. Definitions

RS 17:407.1 - Definitions
As used in this Part, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) "Appropriate early childhood program" means a developmentally appropriate program for young children, ages three to five years, which is in compliance with regulatory guidelines to be issued by the department pursuant to this Part and which is approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
(2) "Department" means the state Department of Education.
(3) "HIPPY" means the Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters.
(4) Repealed by Acts 2009, No. 438, §4(B).
Acts 1992, No. 970, §1, eff. July 9, 1992; Acts 2009, No. 438, §4(B); Acts 2022, No. 374, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 17 - Education › §17:407.2. Louisiana Early Childhood Opportunity Program

RS 17:407.2 - Louisiana Early Childhood Opportunity Program
The department shall establish the Louisiana Early Childhood Opportunity Program to assist in the development and funding of appropriate early childhood programs for children ages three to five years who are economically disadvantaged as defined by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, referred to in this Section as the "state board". The department, with the approval of the state board, shall award grants or contracts to qualified early childhood programs, including but not limited to Head Start, HIPPY, Parents as Teachers, and programs for children with developmental disabilities or who are economically disadvantaged, selected by the department in accordance with specified programmatic standards and guidelines to be established by the department with the approval of the state board.
Acts 1992, No. 970, §1, eff. July 9, 1992; Acts 2014, No. 811, §8, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2015, No. 297, §1; Acts 2018, No. 307, §1.