This bill amends the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) in Louisiana, specifically focusing on the eligibility requirements for students who complete approved home study programs. The amendments include the addition of R.S. 17:5024(B)(1) to the list of requirements that home study students must meet to qualify for awards. Furthermore, the bill lowers the minimum ACT score needed for initial qualification for awards, particularly for students qualifying for the TOPS-Tech or Opportunity Award and the Performance or Honors Award for the 2008-2009 award year through the 2024-2025 award year.

Key changes include the removal of the previous stipulation that required students qualifying for awards after the 2008-2009 award year to meet higher ACT score thresholds. Instead, the new language specifies that students qualifying for these awards through the 2024-2025 award year will only need to achieve scores that are two points higher for TOPS-Tech or Opportunity Awards and one point higher for Performance or Honors Awards compared to the requirements set forth in R.S. 17:5024(B). These adjustments aim to make the program more accessible to students who have completed home study programs.

Statutes affected:
HB378 Original: 17:5029(B)(2)
HB378 Engrossed: 17:5029(B)(2)
HB378 Enrolled: 17:5029(B)(2)
HB378 Act : 17:5029(B)(2)