Several changes may be under consideration regarding how special education programs are monitored in Louisiana's K-12 public schools. That includes a deadline two years ago to install video cameras in classrooms, which the state provided funding for.
The Senate Education Committee approved it unanimously Wednesday. House Bill 153, written by Rep. Tony Bakala, R-Prairieville. It requires full Senate approval before going to Gov. Jeff Landry.
The law requires schools to install cameras in classrooms containing special education students within 90 days of a parent's request. The framework for camera installation was approved in 2021, with state funding for equipment provided in 2022. However, many parents are still dissatisfied with the following: camera not installed And the school is ignoring the request.
“It's a camera issue. We've been trying to address this issue for a long time,” Sen. Beth Mizell (R-Franklinton) said Wednesday during a Senate Education Committee meeting. “I've seen calls from parents who can't get cameras, even though we've provided funding and even though they've said there's an urgent need for them in their classrooms. “We want to know the level of compliance with requests from parents.'' ”
To address compliance concerns, Baccarat's bill would require each school district and charter school operator to submit a report to the local special education advisory committee. The report must include at least the following: Non-compliance due to failure to meet special education requirements. Details about federal, state, and local funding. and details of the academic performance of special education students.
The bill also requires local education commissioners to receive training on special education policy, in addition to subjects they already must cover, such as reading, writing, numeracy, dropout prevention, early childhood education, school rules, and bullying.
The law also addresses dispute resolution for parents, giving parents up to two years to request a hearing if they learn of alleged conduct. The two-year schedule does not apply if local school officials misinform parents or withhold information about violations of special education policies.
The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is also directed to develop rules for an early resolution process to resolve “non-adversarial” disputes with local school systems.
