Education

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 27: SCHOOLS: Provides relative to high-dosage tutoring. (gov sig) (EG +$15,200,000 GF EX See Note)

SB 27 requires Louisiana schools to provide high-dosage tutoring to K-5 students who failed statewide reading/math assessments or scored below grade level in literacy/numeracy screenings. Schools must offer tutoring within 30 days of identification, using direct instruction aligned to grade-level content and formative assessments. Tutoring providers must use qualified tutors (with background checks and subject-specific training) using high-quality instructional materials focused on core grade-level skills. Schools must report student participation data to the state by June 30, with the Department of Education publishing annual reports by July 1. This applies directly to eligible students and school districts implementing the requirement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates high-dosage tutoring for K-5 students failing assessments, requiring qualified tutors and high-quality materials within 30 days. Expands educational access and strengthens student learning programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 11, 2026

SB 305: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Requires the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, and other state agencies to develop a publicly available statewide dashboard for career alignment that provides information related to educational and career opportunities. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 305 requires Louisiana's Board of Regents and state agencies like Louisiana Works to create a free, public online dashboard showing how college programs connect to job outcomes. The dashboard will display data such as graduate employment rates, typical wages, and alignment with high-demand jobs, disaggregated by program. It aims to help students, families, and schools make informed decisions while allowing policymakers to assess workforce needs. The bill explicitly states it won’t mandate program changes, force performance funding, or disclose personal student information.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates public dashboard for career-aligned education data, enhancing student decision-making and workforce readiness without funding cuts or restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

passed · Louisiana · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 95: SCHOOLS: Provides for approval for charter schools that specialize in vocational and technical education to meet workforce demands for high demand and high wage jobs. (8/1/26) (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 95 creates a new Type 2 charter school category specifically for vocational and technical education programs designed to prepare students for high-demand, high-wage "STAR jobs" (as defined by Louisiana Works). It requires applicants to obtain a resolution of support from Louisiana’s Board of Commerce and Industry and allows enrollment preferences for students whose parents work in designated economic sectors. Charter agreements must specify programs aligned with STAR jobs and restrict business donations for major facility improvements or technology (valued at 50%+ of per-pupil state funding). This directly affects public schools partnering to offer vocational courses, charter applicants seeking vocational programs, and students pursuing career-focused education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new vocational charter schools focused on workforce-aligned 'STAR jobs,' expanding educational pathways and curriculum options for students through dedicated programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education School Choice

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 678: TOPS: Authorizes students who qualify for a TOPS award but graduate from an out-of-state college to apply unused award amounts to medical or dental school in Louisiana and requires repayment unless certain conditions are met (OR +$367,110 GF EX See Note)

HB 678 allows Louisiana students who qualified for a TOPS scholarship but completed their undergraduate degree at an out-of-state college to use unused TOPS funds for medical or dental school in Louisiana. Students must sign a repayment agreement for the unused amount plus interest, but are exempt from repayment if they complete a residency program or practice medicine/dentistry full-time in Louisiana for three consecutive years after residency. The bill limits unused funds to eight semesters or equivalent and caps payments at the tuition cost of Louisiana’s highest-cost public university. It requires the Board of Regents to establish rules for repayment collection and exceptions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows unused TOPS funds to support medical/dental education in Louisiana, expanding access to higher education opportunities for students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill redirects scholarship funds to medical/dental education with repayment exemptions for in-state practice, directly expanding healthcare workforce access and retention in Louisiana.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

passed · Louisiana · Senate May 11, 2026

SB 338: SCHOOLS: Provides for preventing bullying in schools. (8/1/26)

SB 338 requires Louisiana schools to follow specific procedures for investigating student bullying reports. It directly affects schools, students involved in bullying incidents, and their parents or guardians. The bill mandates that schools take disciplinary action against bullies after confirming incidents, report criminal bullying to police, and require bullies and their parents to complete court-approved decision-making courses. The State Board of Education must develop these procedures, which include parent meetings before disciplinary steps. The bill is pending review by the Education Committee after being prefiled on February 27, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates bullying prevention procedures requiring investigations, disciplinary actions, and safety protocols to protect student well-being and educational environment in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 11, 2026

SB 376: SECONDARY EDUCATION: Provides for the Learn and Earn Act. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE LF EX See Note)

SB 376, the "Learn and Earn Act," creates a new program allowing Louisiana public high schools to partner with businesses for paid, credit-bearing work-based learning opportunities. It requires school boards to establish career practicums through written agreements with businesses that ensure fair value exchange (e.g., businesses provide equivalent benefit for school resources used) and align with state-approved career pathways. The program directly affects high school students - especially in rural or underserved communities - by offering compensated job training in fields like healthcare or technology while meeting educational requirements. Key provisions mandate that these practicums operate exclusively within defined instructional boundaries, prioritize student safety/supervision, and integrate financial literacy and employability skills.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates paid, credit-bearing work-based learning opportunities for high school students, expanding educational access and aligning with career pathways per state-approved programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 14: TEACHERS RETIREMENT: Provides relative to the reemployment of retired members of TRSL in positions eligible for TRSL membership and alternative retiree reemployment options. (2/3-CA10s(29)(F)) (7/1/26) (EN INCREASE APV)

SB 14 allows retired Louisiana teachers to return to eligible teaching positions while receiving partial retirement benefits, affecting those who retired before June 2010, are age 65 or older, or return within 12 months of retirement. Retirees can choose between two options: working with earnings capped at 50% of their original salary (receiving reduced benefits but no additional retirement credits) or suspending benefits to regain full membership during reemployment, with a supplemental benefit calculated upon leaving. The bill requires retirees to pay employee contributions during reemployment but refunds these contributions (without interest) upon termination, while employer contributions are retained. Disability retirees are excluded, and the bill includes reporting requirements with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables retired teachers to return to classrooms with partial benefits, supporting educator workforce stability and retention in K-12 education.85% confidence

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 42: RETIREMENT/TEACHERS: Provides relative to a phased retirement program within the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana (EN INCREASE FC GF EX See Note)

HB 42 creates a phased retirement program for Louisiana teachers in the Teachers' Retirement System. It allows eligible teachers to gradually transition to full retirement by working reduced hours (e.g., 50% effort = 50% of full benefit) while receiving a proportionally reduced benefit based on their work percentage. During participation, their retirement benefit, compensation, and service credits are frozen at the program start date, and neither they nor their employer pay contributions to the retirement plan. Starting July 2027, employers will cover the full monthly administrative fee for the program, shifting from current cost-sharing. The bill is pending legislative action and would affect current teachers in the system who qualify for phased retirement under their employer’s policy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPhased retirement program supports teacher retention by enabling gradual transition, preserving classroom experience, and maintaining educator stability in Louisiana schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 28: TEACHERS/CERTIFICATION: Provides relative to the appeals process for teacher certification applicants

HB 28 amends Louisiana's teacher certification appeals process to give the state superintendent of education new authority. It allows the superintendent to override a Teacher Certification Appeals Council's denial of certification if the denial resulted from circumstances beyond the applicant's control (e.g., administrative errors), but not if the certification would conflict with state or federal law. This applies to applicants denied certification after January 1, 2025, including retroactive review of past denials. The bill directly affects educators seeking certification who have been denied by the appeals council. The key change is adding this superintendent override option while maintaining the council's decision as final except under these specific conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends appeals process to allow superintendent override of administrative errors in teacher certification, protecting applicants from non-fault denials.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers