| 9:00 a.m. Academic Goals and Instructional Improvement Item 5.1 Consideration of revisions to bulletins relative to transition to high standards and assessments. Bulletin 1566, Pupil Progression Policies and Procedures, indicates how students get promoted from one grade to the next. At the February Act 833 Leadership Steering Committee a BESE member indicated they would request for BESE to include a discussion of the progress on implementation of Act 833. If a discussion of progress on implementation of Act 833 were to occur it this item seems to be the most related topic where it could be added. 11:30 a.m. Educator Effectiveness
1:00 p.m. Admin and Finance Item 3.1 Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) is a formula to distribute $3.5 billion to school districts.
The formula has not yet been released. Although the MFP Task Force recommended a 2.75 percent increase per student, the Executive Budget released last week does not support this per pupil increase in funding. The MFP funding formula proposed does not address requests by advocates of students with disabilities - that funding be based on student need and the same formula be used for all students. There has not been any analysis to adequately study this issue as requested by the Legislature three years ago. For details of how this inequity in funding works read the LaTEACH Action Alert from January 2015.
3:00 p.m. School Innovation and Turnaround Item 3.1 Consideration of revisions to Bulletin 126, Charter Schools, regarding charter school growth plans and transportation. While it is appreciated that charter schools will be required to offer transportation, it is a concern that charter schools with unique missions to serve students with disabilities will be allowed to be apply for a waiver to be exempt from providing transportation. From the BESE website: Proposed revisions to Section �2801: Currently, Bulletin 126, Charter Schools, does not address transportation services for students attending BESE-authorized charter schools. The LDE has worked closely with BESE-authorized charter schools over the past three months to create transportation standards for BESE-authorized charter schools. The proposed changes to Bulletin 126, Charter Schools, outline student eligibility criteria, submission of school transportation plans, implementation and a waiver process to exempt a small number of schools that would be disproportionately affected by this requirement.
| Student Eligibility |
BESE-authorized charter schools shall offer free daily transportation to and from school to any student meeting the following conditions:
- Student must reside at least one mile from the school
- Student must reside within the parish or local school district in which the school is physically located
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| Transportation Plans |
BESE-authorized charter schools shall submit transportation plans to the LDE in order to ensure compliance. The State Superintendent will set forth the process for transportation plan submission. |
| Implementation |
- Charter schools currently in operation must offer transportation to eligible students no later than the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year
- Charter schools that begin operation in the 2016-2017 school year shall offer transportation upon opening
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| Waiver Process |
The LDE shall develop a waiver process to exempt the following Type 2 charter schools:
- Schools having a unique mission to serve students with exceptionalities;
- Virtual schools; or
- Schools for which this requirement would create a substantial financial burden.
The LDE will update BESE on any waivers granted. |
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