§ 17:4071 — Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council;

§4071. Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council;
creation; membership; powers, duties, and functions
A. The Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory
Council (LaSTEM) is hereby created under the auspices of the Board of Regents to
coordinate and oversee the creation, delivery, and promotion of STEM education programs,
to increase student interest and achievement in the fields of science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics, to ensure the alignment of education, economic development, industry, and
workforce needs, and to increase the number of women who graduate from a postsecondary
institution with a STEM degree or credential.
B. The council shall consist of twenty-nine members as follows:
(1) The commissioner of higher education, or his designee.
(2) The secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, or his designee.
(3) The secretary of Louisiana Works, or his designee.
(4) The state superintendent of education, or his designee.
(5) The president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, or his
designee.
(6) The president of the Louisiana State University System, or his designee.
(7) The president of the Southern University System, or his designee.
(8) The president of the University of Louisiana System, or his designee.
(9) The president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, or his
designee.
(10) The executive director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, or his
designee.
(11) The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Principals, or his
designee.
(12) The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools,
or his designee.
(13) The president of the Louisiana Science Teachers Association, or his designee.
(14) The president of the Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics, or his
designee.
(15) Two members who are on the faculty of a Louisiana postsecondary education
institution and who teach in a STEM discipline, appointed by the commissioner of higher
education.
(16) The president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, or his
designee.
(17) Three members with demonstrated interest, experience, and expertise in STEM
education, appointed by the governor.
(18) Three members representing key industries in the state, appointed by the
secretary of Louisiana Economic Development.
(19) A member of the Louisiana Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate.
(20) A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker
of the House.
(21) The chairman of the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council, or his designee.
(22) The president of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities, or his designee.
(23) The president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, or his designee.
(24) The president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, or his designee.
C. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of appointment.
D. Members shall serve without compensation or reimbursement of expenses, other
than what may be afforded by their appointing authority. Legislative members of the council
shall receive the same per diem and reimbursement of travel expenses as is provided for
legislative committee meetings under the rules of the respective house in which they serve.
E. The council shall be chaired by the commissioner of higher education or his
designee. The secretary of Louisiana Economic Development or his designee shall serve as
the initial vice chairman of the council. Thereafter, the vice chairmanship shall alternate on
a triennial basis between the state superintendent of education, or his designee, the secretary
of Louisiana Economic Development or his designee, and the secretary of Louisiana Works
or his designee. The council may elect such other officers as it deems necessary.
F. The council shall meet monthly and at such other times as called by the chairman.
Beginning August 31, 2018, the council shall be required to meet only quarterly. The
commissioner of higher education shall convene the first meeting of the council not later than
September 15, 2017.
G. A majority of the total membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business and all actions taken by the council shall require the affirmative vote of the
majority of the members present and voting.
H. As funding allows, the council shall:
(1) Create a comprehensive, statewide STEM plan that contains clear objectives to
guide the development of STEM education and STEM career opportunities and aligns
elementary, secondary, and postsecondary STEM curricula, programs, initiatives, and
activities.
(2) Coordinate all state STEM education-related programs and activities.
(3) Create a new STEM culture and promote activities that raise awareness of STEM
education and STEM career opportunities.
(4) Integrate employers and educators by engaging business and industry, employers,
professional and community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in STEM education
and career and talent programs and activities.
(5) Encourage industry and business entities to provide funding, resources, and
technical assistance to elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools to promote interest
in STEM discipline courses and career opportunities.
(6) Connect STEM education resources, initiatives, and programs regionally and
throughout the state.
(7) Establish an information clearinghouse, to be housed at the Board of Regents, to
identify and provide best practice resources for both the secondary and postsecondary
educational systems and to review and acquire STEM education-related instructional
materials.
(8) Empower STEM teachers and provide support for high quality professional
development for teachers of STEM subjects.
(9) As appropriate, join and participate in a national STEM network and collaborate
with other states in STEM education program development.
(10) Establish a competitive grants program to fund robotics competitions to provide
students at all appropriate grade levels opportunities to improve science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics skills by participating in events sponsored by a science and
technology development program known as FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of
Science and Technology) Robotics. The program may be funded through the Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Fund and any other available public
or private funds.
I. The council may:
(1) Establish such subcommittees and workgroups as the council deems necessary
and appropriate to carry out its duties and responsibilities.
(2) Solicit funds, contributions, and grants from any allowable source to implement
the provisions of this Section and to further STEM education in the state.
(3) Seek the expertise and services of individuals and entities outside its membership
for research, advice, and other needs as required to carry out the council's mission.
J. The council, through the Board of Regents, shall submit a status report regarding
all actions taken to implement the provisions of this Section, including metrics that measure
the success of implementing council activities and initiatives and any recommendations for
legislation or policy changes, to the Senate Committee on Education and the House
Committee on Education by January thirtieth of each year.
NOTE: See Acts 2017, No. 392, §3, that provides that the Act does not supercede
the powers of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of
Regents, or the postsecondary education management boards as prescribed by law.

Legislative History

Acts 2017, No. 392, §1, eff. June 23, 2017.