Instructional Compliance
Instructional Compliance
State Library Homework Assistance
The State Library of Louisiana offers homework assistance services to parents and students at www.homeworkla.org. HomeworkLouisiana offers free online tutoring and academic resources from Tutor.com for Louisiana residents from kindergarten students through adult learners. Get help in math, science, social studies or English from a live tutor. The services can be accessed from a Louisiana public library, your home computer or your mobile device.
LDOE Instructional Materials Review Process
Act 389 of the 2015 La. Legislative session addresses the adoption of textbooks/instructional materials. Subsection C.(1)(c) indicates the following:
The governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school shall include on its website a link to the website on which the state Department of Education conducts the online review process pursuant to Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section
To access the review process, click here.
Parental Access to Instructional Materials
In compliance with ACT 466 of the 2022 Louisiana Legislature, parents may review instructional materials* by contacting:
- Lee Anne Harlton, Supervisor of Elementary Schools | carla.carollo@sbpsb.org
- Mary Lumetta, Supervisor of Secondary Schools & Assistant Superintendent | mary.lumetta@sbpsb.org
*"Instructional materials” means content that conveys the knowledge or skills of a subject in the school curriculum through a medium or a combination of media for conveying information to a student. It also includes any nonsecure test, nonsecure assessment, or survey administered to a student. The term also includes books, supplementary materials, teaching aids, computer software, magnetic media, DVD, CD-ROM, computer courseware, online materials, information, or services, or an electronic medium or other means of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process.
Louisiana Workforce Commission
For information about high-wage, high-demand job opportunities after high school, please visit the Louisiana Workforce Commission's website.
Bills of Rights
RS 17:406.9 Parents' Bill of Rights for Public Schools
A. The legislature finds all of the following:
(1) That parental involvement is a significant factor in increasing student achievement.
(2) That access to student information encourages greater parental involvement.
B. Parents of public school children who have not reached the age of majority shall have all of the following rights:
(1) To examine the textbooks, curriculum, and supplemental material used in their child's classroom.
(2) To inspect their child's school records, and to receive a copy of their child's records within ten business days of submitting a written request, either electronically or on paper. Parents shall not be required to appear in person for the purposes of requesting or validating a request for their child's school records. There shall be no charge for a parent to receive such records electronically. Any charges for a paper copy of such records shall be reasonable and set forth in the official rules and regulations of the school governing authority. School records shall include all of the following:
(a) Academic records, including but not limited to results of interim or benchmark assessments.
(b) Medical or health records.
(c) Records of any mental health counseling.
(d) Records of any vocational counseling.
(e) Records of discipline.
(f) Records of attendance.
(g) Records associated with a child's screening for learning challenges, exceptionalities, plans for an Individualized Education Program, or Individual Accommodation Plan.
(h) Any other student-specific file, document, or other materials that are maintained by the school.
(3) To be notified when medical services are being offered to their child, except where emergency medical treatment is required. In cases where emergency medical treatment is required, the parent shall be notified as soon as practicable after the treatment is rendered.
(4) To be notified if a criminal action is deemed to have been committed against their child or by their child.
(5) To be notified if law enforcement personnel question their child, except in cases where the parent has been accused of abusing or neglecting the child.
(6) To be notified if their child is taken or removed from the school campus without parental permission.
(7) That the school shall not discriminate against their child based upon the sincerely held religious beliefs of the child's family.
(8) To receive written notice and the option to opt their child out of any surveys that include questions about any of the following:
(a) The student's sexual experiences or attractions.
(b) The student's family beliefs, morality, religion, or political affiliations.
(c) Any mental health or psychological problems of the student or a family member.
(9) To receive written notice and have the option to opt their child out of instruction on topics associated with sexual activity.
(10) To receive from the school the annual school calendar, no later than thirty days prior to the beginning of the school year, and to be notified in writing as soon as feasible of any revisions to such calendar. Such calendar shall be posted to the school's website and shall include, at a minimum, student attendance days and any event that requires parent or student attendance outside of normal school days or hours.
(11) To receive in writing each year or to view on the school's website a comprehensive listing of any required fee and its purpose and use and a description of how economic hardships may be addressed.
(12) To receive in writing each year or to view on the school's website a description of the school's required uniform for students.
(13) To be informed if their child's academic performance is such that it could threaten the child's ability to be promoted to the next grade level and to be offered an in-person meeting with the child's classroom teacher and school leader to discuss any resources or strategies available to support and encourage the child's academic improvement.
C. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a public school shall not be required to release any records or information regarding a student's medical or health records or mental health counseling records to a parent during the pendency of an investigation of child abuse or neglect conducted by any law enforcement agency or the Department of Children and Family Services where the parent is the target of the investigation, unless the parent has obtained a court order.
Click here to access Parents' Bill of Rights for Public Schools.
§416.18. Teacher Bill of Rights
A. Respecting the authority of teachers is essential to creating an environment conducive to learning, effective instruction in the classroom, and proper administration of city, parish, and other local public schools. To maintain and protect that authority, it is important that teachers, administrators, parents, and students are fully informed of the various rights conferred upon teachers pursuant to this Section, which are:
(1) A teacher has the right to teach free from the fear of frivolous lawsuits, including the right to qualified immunity and to a legal defense, and to indemnification by the employing school board, pursuant to R.S. 17:416.1(C), 416.4, 416.5, and 416.11, for actions taken in the performance of duties of the teacher's employment.
(2) A teacher has the right to appropriately discipline students in accordance with R.S. 17:223 and 416 through 416.16 and any city, parish, or other local public school board regulation.
(3) A teacher has the right to remove any persistently disruptive student from his classroom when the student's behavior prevents the orderly instruction of other students or when the student displays impudent or defiant behavior and to place the student in the custody of the principal or his designee pursuant to R.S. 17:416(A)(1)(c).
(4) A teacher has the right to have his or her professional judgment and discretion respected by school and district administrators in any disciplinary action taken by the teacher in accordance with school and district policy and with R.S.17:416(A)(1)(c).
(5) A teacher has the right to teach in a safe, secure, and orderly environment that is conducive to learning and free from recognized dangers or hazards that are causing or likely to cause serious injury in accordance with R.S. 17:416.9 and 416.16.
(6) A teacher has the right to be treated with civility and respect as provided in R.S. 17:416.12.
(7) A teacher has the right to communicate with and to request the participation of parents in appropriate student disciplinary decisions pursuant to R.S. 17:235.1 and 416(A).
(8) A teacher has the right to complete only paperwork that is not excessively burdensome and that, if required by law or regulation, adheres to the law or regulation and does not result in overly cumbersome interpretations of that law or regulation.
(9) A beginning teacher has the right to receive leadership and support in accordance with R.S. 17:3881, including the assignment of a qualified, experienced mentor who commits to helping him become a competent, confident professional in the classroom and offers support and assistance as needed to meet performance standards and professional expectations.
(10) A teacher has the right to be afforded time during the school day or week to collaborate with other teachers.
B. No city, parish, or other local public school board shall establish policies that prevent teachers from exercising the rights provided in this Section or in any other provision included in R.S. 17:416 through 416.16.
C. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to supersede any other state law, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education policy, or city, parish, or other local public school board policy enacted or adopted relative to the discipline of students.
D. Each city, parish, or other local public school board shall provide a copy of this Section to all teachers at the beginning of each school year. Each such school board also shall post a copy of the rights provided in this Section in a prominent place in every school and administrative building it operates and provide such a copy to parents or legal guardians of all children attending such schools in a form and manner approved by the school board. Each city, parish, or other local public school board and every school under its jurisdiction that maintains an Internet website shall post on such website a copy of the Teacher Bill of Rights required by this Section.
Acts 2003, No. 1252, §1, eff. July 7, 2003; Acts 2008, No. 155, §1, eff. June 12, 2008; Acts 2013, No. 329, §1.