§3137. Dual enrollment program; legislative findings; eligible participants

A.(1) The legislature hereby finds and declares that the dual enrollment program established by the Board of Regents has enhanced curricular options available to eligible high school students by providing an opportunity to enroll in postsecondary coursework creditable toward a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree.

(2) The legislature further finds that the availability of successful dual enrollment opportunities will increase the academic performance and educational attainment for all Louisiana students.

B. The Board of Regents shall provide for the participation of any student who meets the following requirements:

(1) Is enrolled in a Louisiana public high school.

(2) Is at least fifteen years of age.

(3) Is currently in the eleventh or twelfth grade.

(4) Meets any other eligibility criteria as the Board of Regents may require.

C. Any student who is enrolled in a Louisiana nonpublic high school or participates in a home school program of education and who meets the eligibility requirements as specified in Paragraphs (B)(2), (3), and (4) of this Section shall be eligible to participate in the Board of Regents dual enrollment program. State funds shall not be used to pay the tuition of a nonpublic high school student or a home study student who is dually enrolled in a participating postsecondary institution. However, the amount of tuition charged to such students shall be the same as is paid by the state on behalf of a student attending a public high school.

D. The Board of Regents, in consultation with the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, shall study and report in writing to the Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Education by not later than sixty days prior to the convening of the 2009 Regular Session of the legislature on the estimated cost of providing state dollars, beginning with Fiscal Year 2009-2010 and continuing thereafter, to fund participation in the dual enrollment program of otherwise eligible students who attend nonpublic high schools, both state-approved schools as well as others, or participate in home study programs, both state-approved programs as well as others, in the same manner as provided for eligible students attending public high schools.

Acts 2008, No. 460, §1.