§14.1. Family literacy demonstration program
A. In addition to the powers and duties established by R.S. 17:7, the State Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education shall formulate, pilot the use of, and evaluate a family
literacy demonstration program to identify effective models of community-based family
literacy efforts that provide programs of instruction for preschool children and their parents.
The program shall be designed to serve children who will be eligible to enter public school
kindergarten pursuant to R.S. 17:151.3 in the following year and who have a parent or other
person responsible for the child's school attendance who does not possess a high school
diploma or its equivalent as well as the parents or other persons responsible for such
children.
B. The family literacy demonstration program shall include the following:
NOTE: Paragraph (B)(1) eff. until Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 478.
(1) At least ten demonstration projects at locations determined by criteria established
by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in consultation with the office
of literacy, the Department of Children and Family Services, and representatives, as selected
by the board, from the private sector. There shall be at least one demonstration project in
each congressional district of the state, but no more than two such projects in any one
congressional district. To the extent possible, each demonstration project shall involve the
local public school system, Children and Family service providers, other local public and
private literacy providers, and other governmental agencies in a cooperative and coordinated
effort to plan, fund, and operate the project.
NOTE: Paragraph (B)(1) eff. Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 478.
(1) At least ten demonstration projects at locations determined by criteria
established by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in consultation with
the office of literacy, Louisiana Works, and representatives, as selected by the board, from
the private sector. There shall be at least one demonstration project in each congressional
district of the state, but no more than two such projects in any one congressional district.
To the extent possible, each demonstration project shall involve the local public school
system, Louisiana Works service providers, other local public and private literacy providers,
and other governmental agencies in a cooperative and coordinated effort to plan, fund, and
operate the project.
(2) External evaluation of individual demonstration projects to determine
effectiveness and impact on program participants in improving family literacy.
C. A demonstration project shall have not less than fifteen nor more than twenty
adult participants in addition to the children of such participants and shall have the following
components:
(1) Identification and recruitment of eligible participants, including screening and
other age and developmentally appropriate activities that are designed to prepare persons for
successful program participation.
(2) Instructional programs that promote adult basic academic and vocational skills,
that equip parents or other responsible persons to provide the needed support for the
education of their children, and that prepare children for successful entry into kindergarten
and elementary education programs. Parents or other persons responsible for a child's school
attendance that are participating in the program shall be instructed, as needed, in parenting
skills, adult education, and vocational skills. Children participating in the program shall
receive instruction in developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs
approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Parents or other
persons responsible for a child's school attendance and their children also shall participate
together in structured activities applying skills learned individually in other program
activities.
(3) Transportation for program participants.
(4) Food services for program participants.
NOTE: Paragraph (C)(5) eff. until Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 478.
(5) Other components as determined by the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education in consultation with the office of literacy, the Department of Children
and Family Services, and representatives, as determined by the board, from the private sector.
NOTE: Paragraph (C)(5) eff. Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 478.
(5) Other components as determined by the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education in consultation with the office of literacy, Louisiana Works, and
representatives, as determined by the board, from the private sector.
D. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt rules
necessary to implement the program provided by this Section.
E. The program may be expanded beyond the demonstration program provided in
this Section upon appropriation of funds therefor. The State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education shall present a plan to the governor and the legislature for any such
expanded program prior to the appropriation of funds therefor.
F. The provisions of this Section shall be implemented only to the extent funds are
provided for this purpose from public or private sources.
Acts 1991, No. 1057, §1; Acts 2025, No. 478, §5, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.