La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CXV-2305

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section CXV-2305 - Ancillary Areas of Instruction

A. Each LEA may develop a character education philosophy and implementation plan consistent with its locally developed curriculum.

B. Each public school student shall receive age- and grade-appropriate instruction in personal financial management based on the concept of achieving financial literacy through the teaching of personal management skills and the basic principles involved with income, money management, spending and credit, saving and investing, and the process and responsibilities, including repayment and default, of borrowing money to fund postsecondary education opportunities. Such instruction may be integrated into an existing course of study.

C. A public high school shall offer an elective course in American sign language, provided that at least 15 students in a school request the course and a certified teacher is available.

D. Any public school in Louisiana may offer instruction in sex education, provided such instruction and subject matter is integrated into an existing course of study such as biology, science, physical hygiene, or physical education.

1. Such instruction should encourage sexual abstinence outside of marriage, and such instruction shall not include religious beliefs, practices in human sexuality, nor the subjective moral and ethical judgments of the instructor or other persons.

2. No such instruction shall be offered in kindergarten or in grades one through six, except that the Orleans Parish School Board may offer instruction in sex education at the third grade level or higher.

3. When offered, such instruction shall be available also to special education students at age-appropriate levels.

4. Any student may be excused from receiving instruction in sex education at the option and discretion of his or her parent or guardian according to procedures provided by the LEA. Such instruction may be offered at times other than during the regular school day, as determined by the LEA.

5. An LEA that chooses to offer instruction in sex education shall provide the following information to the parents and/or guardians of the students:

a. a description of the course contents;

b. a listing of course materials to be used; and

c. the qualifications of the instructor(s).

E. All books, films, and other materials to be used in instruction in sex education shall be submitted to and approved by the local educational governing authority and by a parental review committee, whose membership shall be determined by such board.

F. Each LEA shall include in the curriculum a program of substance abuse prevention, to include informational, effective, and counseling strategies, and information designed to reduce the likelihood that students shall injure themselves or others through the misuse and abuse of chemical substances.

1. The substance abuse prevention education programs and curricula shall also include procedures for identifying students who exhibit signs of misuse or abuse of such substances and procedures for referral for counseling or treatment.

2. Elementary schools shall provide a minimum of 16 contact hours of substance abuse prevention education each school year. Instruction shall be provided within a comprehensive school health program.

3. Secondary schools shall provide a minimum of 8 contact hours of substance abuse prevention education each school year for grades 10-12 and 16 hours for grade 9. Instruction shall be provided within a comprehensive school health program.

4. Such programs will integrate an evidence-based, age-appropriate instructional component on opioid substance abuse prevention.

a. Any instruction relative to alcohol, tobacco, drug, and substance abuse prevention and education provided pursuant to this Subsection will include the information that mixing opioids and alcohol can cause accidental death and information on the health risks associated with vapor products as defined in R.S. 26:901.

5. The programs shall include providing the website and phone number of at least one national organization specializing in adolescent substance abuse. The resource information shall be posted on the LEA website.

G. Historical Programs. Each school shall hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on Constitution Day, September 17, of each year. The purpose of the program is to commemorate the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution. When September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the Constitution Day program shall be held during the preceding or following week.

1. In conjunction with Constitution Day and Constitution Week, each public school governing authority shall observe Celebrate Freedom Week.

2. Students shall receive age and grade appropriate instruction on topics related to freedom, the nation's founding, and the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

H. Each LEA shall provide age- and grade-appropriate classroom instruction regarding internet and cell phone safety.

1. The LDE will identify and list appropriate resources on the LDE website.

2. The instruction shall be integrated into an existing course and shall include but not be limited to the following topics:

a. the safe and responsible use of social networking websites, chat rooms, electronic mail, bulletin boards, instant messaging, and other means of electronic communication;

b. risks of transmitting personal information;

c. recognizing, avoiding, and reporting solicitations by sexual predators;

d. recognizing and reporting illegal activities and communications;

e. recognizing and reporting harassment and cyberbulling;

f. recognizing and avoiding unsolicited or deceptive communications; and

g. copyright laws on written materials, photographs, music, and video.

I. Each LEA shall provide to high school students age and grade appropriate classroom instruction relative to the state's safe haven relinquishments law, Children's Code, articles 1149-1160.

J. Adoption Awareness. Each LEA shall provide instruction on adoption awareness to all high school students that shall include:

1. the benefits to society;

2. types of adoption;

3. differences between foster care and infant adoption;

4. resources and agencies available for pregnant mothers, for parents, and to assist in the adoption process; and

5. statistical data on abortion, adoption, and childbirth.

K. Child Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention. Each LEA shall provide age- and grade-appropriate classroom instruction to all students relative to child assault awareness and prevention. Such instruction shall be limited to:

1. education on what constitutes abuse or an assault;

2. how students may safely and confidentially report to a school official the circumstances surrounding any such abuse or assault; and

3. how students may report abuse or assault to the child protection toll-free hotline operated by DCFS and where the number is found on the school website.

4. Each LEA shall annually report to the LDE a grade-level listing of each course that includes instruction on child abuse and assault awareness and prevention, and shall include verification of DCFS child protection toll-free hotline notification on LEA and school websites.

L. Each public high school will provide instruction in the recognition and prevention of shaken baby syndrome. Such instruction shall be integrated into an existing course of study.

1. For purposes of this Subsection: Shaken Baby Syndrome-the condition known also as "abusive head trauma" that is characterized by injuries resulting from violent shaking or shaking and impacting of the head of an infant or small child.

M. Each LEA will adopt policies regarding access by students to internet and online sites that contain or make reference to harmful, violent, pervasively vulgar material, obscene material, child pornography, or sexually harassing material conducive to the creation of a hostile or dangerous school environment.

N. Eating Disorder Awareness. Each public school LEA shall provide age and grade appropriate instruction regarding eating disorder awareness and prevention integrated into the curriculum of an existing required course.

O. Suicide, Safety, and Violence Education. An LEA offering a youth suicide prevention program shall include student safety, violence prevention, and social isolation prevention training via in-person, video, or a hybrid of both methods. Instruction shall include how to identify signs and signals of depression, suicide, and self-injury in themselves and peers, as well as the importance of seeking help and the process for reporting harmful or potentially harmful activity.

1. Each public school LEA shall provide a minimum of one hour or one class period of age and grade appropriate instruction to students in grades 6 through 12.

2. Instruction shall be evidence-based through high-quality research findings that show a statistically significant effect on relevant outcomes.

3. Strategies for social inclusion in the classroom and community shall be utilized and may include instruction in self-esteem and peer mediation.

4. A student shall be excused from any of the training upon written request of the parent or legal guardian.

5. For each school enrolling students in grades 6 through 12, the LEA shall allow the creation of a student-led and employee-advised club open to any member of the student population to develop and maintain awareness activities of this Subsection.

P. Water Safety. Each public school LEA shall provide age and grade appropriate instruction regarding water safety integrated into the curriculum of an existing required course, and shall include:

1. proper use of flotation devices;

2. awareness of water conditions and safe behaviors in and around water;

3. supervision and barriers/fencing in pool areas;

4. importance of formal swim lessons;

5. avoidance of alcohol and substance use during water activities; and

6. administering CPR to a drowning victim.

Q. Mental Health. Each public school LEA shall provide age and grade appropriate instruction to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade regarding preventative mental health measures including but not limited to:

1. proper diet, exercise, risk avoidance, and stress reduction;

2. the relationship and the difference between mental health and physical health as well as brain health and emotional health;

3. identifying trauma and stress and the impact on mental and physical health;

4. resources and services available to assist people with mental health issues; and

5. the management of stress and anxiety.

R. Organ Donation. Each public high school shall provide information regarding organ donation to students. Such instruction shall be integrated into the curriculum of an existing required course using free resources from a Louisiana organ procurement organization or other free resources available from authoritative sources.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CXV-2305

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 31:1288 (June 2005), amended LR 33:2353 (November 2007), LR 39:2214 (August 2013), LR 39:3259 (December 2013), LR 40:2531 (December 2014), Amended LR 441443 (8/1/2018), Amended LR 441868 (10/1/2018), Amended LR 4536 (1/1/2019), Amended LR 451746 (12/1/2019), Amended LR 4833 (1/1/2022), Amended LR 49251 (2/1/2023), Repromulgated LR 49857 (5/1/2023), Amended LR 50177 (2/1/2024).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6, 17:81, 17:154, 17:261 et seq., 17:263, 17:270, 17:280, 17:281 et seq., 17:404, and 17:405 et seq., and 36 USC 106.