RS 17:4013 Definitions - Louisiana Statutes

§4013.  Definitions

As used in this Chapter, unless otherwise clearly indicated, the following terms shall mean:

(1)  "Covered district" means a local public school system which meets all of the following criteria:

(a)  Has been found to be academically in crisis pursuant to R.S. 17:10.6.

(b)  Has had schools transferred to the jurisdiction of the Recovery School District pursuant to R.S. 17:10.7.

(c)  Is located in a parish with a population of at least four hundred seventy-five thousand persons according to the latest federal decennial census and includes the Recovery School District established pursuant to R.S. 17:1990 to the extent that schools under the district's jurisdiction are located within the geographic boundaries of a covered district.

(2)  "Department" means the state Department of Education.

(3)  "Eligible student" means a student who resides within the geographic boundaries of a covered district, is a member of a family with a total income that does not exceed two hundred fifty percent of the current federal poverty guidelines as established by the federal office of management and budget and who meets any one of the following criteria:

(a)  Is entering kindergarten.

(b)  Was enrolled in a public school located within a covered district during the previous school year in a program-eligible grade and such school has been identified as academically unacceptable or has a school performance score or an assessment index of sixty or less as defined by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education pursuant to policies developed and adopted by the board for implementation of the school and district accountability system.

(c)  Received a scholarship pursuant to this Chapter in the previous school year and remains otherwise eligible.

(4)  "Participating school" means a nonpublic school that meets program requirements and seeks to enroll scholarship recipients pursuant to this Chapter or a public school located within the geographic boundaries of a covered district that meets program requirements and seeks to enroll scholarship recipients pursuant to this Chapter.

(5)  "Program" means the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program.

(6)  "Scholarship" means the funds awarded to a parent or other legal guardian on behalf of an eligible student to attend a participating school pursuant to this Chapter.

(7)  "Scholarship recipient" means an eligible student who is awarded a scholarship pursuant to this Chapter.

Acts 2008, No. 509, §1, eff. June 25, 2008.