Signed by Governor Bobby Jindal

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that allows public elementary and secondary schools to apply for waivers exempting them from various laws and regulations within the education system.

Highlights:

-Defines a 'waiver' as an exemption for the recipient district from any provision of this Title or from any rule, regulation, or policy of the board that is applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees (Sec. 1). -Authorizes the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to issue a waiver to any school upon receipt of a waiver application from the superintendent with the goal of improving quality of instruction and student academic achievement (Sec. 1). -Requires the superintendent's waiver application to include the following (Sec. 1):

-The specific laws, rules, regulations and policies from which the waiver is sought; -The school or schools covered by the waiver; -A description of the policies instituted as a substitute of the waived provisions; -A description of how the waiver will increase the quality of instruction for students; -A description of how the waiver will improve academic effectiveness of students; and -A description of how the waiver will improve the teaching effectiveness in schools.

-Requires that low performing schools covered by a waiver meet certain conditions aimed at improving teacher effectiveness, quality of instruction, and student academic environment (Sec. 1). -Specifies that upon termination of the waiver, if the school has not met its statewide accountability growth targets, the school shall be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Recovery School District (Sec. 1). -Specifies that upon issuance, a waiver is valid for a period of up to 4 years unless terminated sooner by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Sec. 1). -Requires that the superintendent of a school receiving a waiver provide periodic reports on progress in achieving specific benchmarks proposed by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text