§2313. Elementary Program of Studies
A. Elementary schools shall adhere to the curricular and time requirements
established by the DOE and approved by BESE.
B. Schools and LEAs providing prekindergarten programs shall offer a curriculum
that is developmentally appropriate and informal in nature.
NOTE:
Refer to Bulletin 105: Louisiana Standards for Serving Four-Year-Old
Children.
1. The following suggested minimum time requirements for prekindergarten
shall be flexibly scheduled to meet the developmental needs of young students:
Teacher-directed activities
35%
(whole or small group)
Student-initiated activities
35%
(learning center)
Lunch
Snack and Restroom time
10%
Rest period and/or quiet activities
20%
2. Prekindergarten programs for exceptional students shall offer a curriculum
a. That is developmentally sequenced based on reliable research;
b. That offers a plan for continuous evaluation; and
c. That offers balanced experiences in pre-academic/academic skills,
communication skills, social-emotional skills, self-help skills and motor skills, in
accordance with an IEP.
C. The kindergarten shall be informal in nature with teacher-directed and studentinitiated activities; it shall be planned to meet the developmental needs of young students.
1. The following minimum time requirements shall be flexibly scheduled to meet
the developmental needs of young students:
Teacher directed activities
(indoor and outdoor whole and small group)
Child initiated activities
(indoor and outdoor learning centers)
Lunch
Snack and restroom time
Rest Periods
40%
35%
10%
15%
D. Elementary Minimum Time Requirements
1. The elementary grades shall provide a foundation in fundamentals of the
language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health, physical education, and
cultural arts.
2. Each grade level, grades one through eight, shall teach the following content
subject areas, ensuring strict adherence to the Louisiana Content Standards and gradelevel expectations, and locally developed curricula.
3. Elementary schools shall offer an articulated foreign language program for
30 minutes daily in grades four through six, and 150 minutes per week in grades seven
and eight.
NOTE: Refer to A Guide for Administrators of Elementary Level Second
Language and Immersion Programs in Louisiana Schools.
a. If an LEA does not have a program for foreign language instruction in
grades 1-12, a program shall be required upon presentation of a petition requesting the
instruction of a particular foreign language. The superintendent of the LEA shall
determine the required number of signatures needed.
b. For identified special education students, the IEP Committee shall
determine the student’s eligibility to receive foreign language instruction.
E. Each public elementary school that includes any of the grades kindertarten
through six shall provide at least 30 minutes of quality, moderate to vigorous, organized
physical activity each day for all students.
1. No later than September 1st of each year, each elementary school shall report
to its school board on compliance with this requirement.
2. The LEA shall report to BESE on compliance no later than October 1st.
F. The following are suggested and required minimum minutes for elementary
grades:
Grades 1, 2, and 3
Suggested Minimum Minutes
Per Week
English Language Arts
825
Mathematics
300
Science and Social Studies
225
Foreign Language
150
Required Minimum Minutes
Per Week
Physical Education
150
Health, Music, Arts and Crafts
150
Grades 4, 5, and 6
Suggested Minimum Minutes
Per Week
English Language Arts
600
Mathematics
300
Science
225
Social Studies
225
Foreign Language
150
Required Minimum Minutes
Per Week
Physical Education
150
Health, Music, Arts and Crafts
150
Grades 7 and 8
(Six Period Day Option)
Suggested Minimum Minutes
Per Week
English Language Arts
550
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Grade 7 – American Studies
Grade 8 – Louisiana Studies
Foreign Language
Physical Education
Health, Music, Arts and Crafts
275
275
275
150
Required Minimum Minutes
Per Week
150
125
Grades 7 and 8
(Seven Period Day Option)
Suggested Minimum Minutes
Per Week
English Language Arts
500
Mathematics
250
Science
250
Social Studies
250
Grade 7 – American Studies
Grade 8 – Louisiana Studies
Foreign Language
150
Required Minimum Minutes
Per Week
Physical Education
150
Health, Music, Arts and Crafts
250
1. It is strongly recommended that teachers integrate reading (skills and
comprehension) throughout all content areas.
2. For students in grades one through four who have been identified as reading
below grade level, the minimum time requirements in health, music, and arts and crafts
are suggested in lieu of required.
3. For students in grades 5-8 who have scored below the Basic level on LEAP 21
in English language arts or mathematics, the minimum time requirements in health,
music, arts and crafts, or electives are suggested in lieu of required.
4. English as a Second Language may be offered as a part of English language
arts.
5. For students with specific needs, teachers may increase the weekly time in
English language arts or mathematics by reducing instructional time in other subjects,
subject to the review and approval of the principal.
6. Grade six may adhere to the same schedule as grades seven and eight only in
organizational patterns that include grades seven and eight.
7. Grades seven and eight (and grade six when grouped with grades seven and
eight) may offer electives from the following:
Mathematics
Exploratory Agriscience
Reading
Exploratory Family and Consumer Sciences
Writing
Exploratory Keyboarding
Science
Social Studies
Exploratory Technology Education:
Art
Communication/Middle School
Speech
Modular Technology/Middle School
Instrumental or Vocal Music
Construction/Middle School
Foreign Languages
Manufacturing Technology/Middle School
Computer/Technology Education
Transportation Technology/Middle School
a. In Exploratory Technology Education, the minimum time for any cluster
is six weeks. The maximum time allowed in a cluster is 36 weeks. All areas in each
cluster should be taught.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:17.1; R.S. 17:
24.8; R.S. 17:154-154.1; R.S. 17:261 et seq.