Senate Bill 465: Forcing Private Schools to Take "High Stakes" Tests
Sponsor:
Senator Melvin "Kip" Holden

Summary:
This bill violates federal law by forcing "approved" private schools to take criterion-referenced tests.

Status:
03/27/2003 Prefiled
03/31/2003 Referred to Senate Education Committee
06/23/2003 The 2003 Regular Session of the legislature adjourned. Thankfully, SB 465 is dead.

Action Requested:
None.

HSLDA's Position:
Oppose. The United States specifically prohibited states from requiring private schools or homeschools to take the new "high stakes" tests mandated by federal law. Louisiana defines "private schools" in R.S. § 17:236, with a separate definition of "approved" private schools in R.S. § 17:11. SB 465 only amends the definition of "approved" private schools, and so should not affect homeschoolers who operate as "private schools" pursuant to R.S. s 17:236. Even though there is no direct effect on homeschoolers, however, the bill is a threat to homeschoolers because it violates the federal law that was written to protect homeschoolers. If the "approved" private schools can be taken over today, in violation of federal law, then the unapproved private schools and homeschools can be taken over tomorrow.

Other Resources

4/14/2003 - Louisiana--Homeschoolers Defeat Dangerous School Records Bill

4/7/2003 - Louisiana-Mandatory Testing Bill Must be Defeated

Bill Text