LA HB818

Beginning in 2027-2028, total time students spend on standardized assessments (including federal, state, BESE-mandated, and district benchmarks/interim assessments) cannot exceed 2% of minimum required instructional minutes per school year, excluding accommodations for students with disabilities and teacher-selected classroom quizzes

Starting 2026-2027, the Department of Education must post a statewide mandated assessment schedule by August 1 annually, and each school district must post both this schedule and a local benchmark/interim assessment schedule by November 1 on publicly accessible websites

Non-mandated assessments, screeners, and progress-monitoring tools may only be administered at the professional discretion of classroom teachers based on instructional value and developmental appropriateness

Teachers are protected from reprisal, adverse evaluation, or disciplinary action for choosing not to administer district or school-mandated assessments that exceed state/federal requirements or lack instructional value in their professional judgment

BESE may grant one-year waivers to districts with pre-existing assessment contracts executed before August 1, 2026, allowing time to transition into compliance with the new testing limits