LAC 28:CLIII.1301. Purpose

A. The Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Act requires the LDE to “develop criteria for [school] participation that includes an accountability system for participating students at participating schools.” In accordance with this requirement, the criteria set forth in this Chapter shall reflect the following values: 1. achievementa common standard for student performance across the system of traditional public, charter public, and nonpublic schools; 2. autonomyminimizing bureaucracy and complexity; 3. responsibilityupholding the public trust when public funds are involved; 4. safetyprotection of children’s health and welfare. B. The purpose of these criteria shall be to protect children while avoiding a labyrinth of policies that tie the hands of educators and families. They exist to minimize the rare harmful circumstance rather than to regulate day-to-day conditions in participating schools. In applying these criteria, the state superintendent may waive any provisions of this Chapter needed to ensure the academic welfare, health, or safety of participating students, or to address extenuating circumstances. C. Any revisions to this Chapter shall be referred to the Nonpublic Schools Council for review and comment prior to consideration by the board.