Senate Bill No. by Senator Abraham proposes significant changes to the school and district accountability system in Louisiana by replacing the current LEAP test with a nationally normed assessment starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill amends R.S. 17:10.1(A)(2) and (B) to reflect this change, ensuring that the accountability system will utilize the new assessment instead of the existing assessments under the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program. Additionally, the bill establishes the Nationally Normed Assessment Task Force, which will consist of 22 members appointed from various educational organizations and government bodies. This task force is tasked with reviewing and selecting the most suitable nationally normed assessment for the accountability system, with a report due by January 15, 2026.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the task force's operations, such as meeting at least monthly and submitting a report to relevant authorities, including the governor and education committees. It also specifies that for the 2025-2026 academic year, students in grades four, six, and seven will not take any state assessments in social studies. The bill is set to take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated time for gubernatorial action, ensuring a timely transition to the new assessment framework.

Statutes affected:
SB105 Original: 17:1(A)(2)