§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:
(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.
(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.
(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.
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.