TITLE 17. EDUCATION

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL SCHOOL LAW

PART I. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

SUBPART A. STATE BOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

17:8.2      Electronic textbooks and instructional materials

A. (1) When exercising its authority to prescribe and adopt free textbooks and other instructional materials for use in the public schools and other programs under its jurisdiction, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall make every effort to ensure that electronic versions are available for every title it approves for placement on the state list of approved textbooks and instructional materials.

(2) Where there is an electronic version available for a printed textbook or instructional material that has been approved by the state board, the electronic version shall also be placed on the state list of textbooks and instructional materials approved for use in public elementary and secondary schools.

B. When inviting publishers to participate in the state textbook adoption process, the state Department of Education shall clearly communicate the state's desire to increase the availability and accessibility of electronic textbooks and instructional materials in the state's public elementary and secondary schools and shall encourage all publishers to provide electronic versions of the products they offer for state adoption, whether in addition to, or in lieu of, the printed version.

C. (1) Each city, parish, and other local public school board is encouraged to maximize the availability and accessibility of electronic textbooks and instructional materials in the public schools under its jurisdiction when developing its local textbook adoption plan.

(2) A local school board that would like the option to purchase an electronic version of a textbook or other instructional material on the state approved list for which none is provided, shall submit a request for such to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

D. The purchase of printed textbooks and other instructional materials by a city, parish, or other local public school board shall be made in accordance with State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education policy.

E. (1) A city, parish, or other local public school board may purchase electronic textbooks and other instructional materials, media, or content, and their means of distribution or access, as it deems are necessary and appropriate to fulfill their educational mission and to address state content standards and school and district accountability system requirements.

(2) Such purchases shall not be subject to or limited by any textbook adoption cycle established by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the state board shall not restrict the amount or percentage of state or local funds a city, parish, or other local public school board may expend for the purchase of electronic textbooks, instructional materials, or other education related media or content, or their means of distribution or access.

Added by Acts 2010, No. 659, § 1.