Louisiana § RS 17:3129.8 - Affordable digital textbook and learning materials pilot programs

§ RS 17:3129.8. Affordable digital textbook and learning materials pilot programs

            A. The Board of Regents, referred to in this Section as the "board", in collaboration with the public postsecondary education management boards, shall develop and implement pilot programs to provide open and no-cost digital textbooks, study tools, online homework, and open educational resources that can be used to improve student outcomes. The pilot programs for which funds will be awarded shall be selected by the board in accordance with the criteria set forth in this Section.

            B. The board shall:

            (1) Issue a request for applications from public postsecondary education management boards for proposals for pilot programs.

            (2) Prioritize pilot programs that provide the most benefit to socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented students. This may be determined by identifying courses with a high percentage of enrollment of groups of such students and the potential for large-scale adoption of open educational resources in the courses.

            (3) Award funds for pilot programs to replace existing commercial textbooks available to students only through purchase with open educational resources as defined in R.S. 17:3129.9. The open educational resources used in pilot programs shall be made available to students at no cost with unlimited access not later than the first day of classes of the first semester in which the program is being implemented. Priority shall be placed on using open educational resources that carry an open license that allow faculty to customize course materials to improve student learning outcomes.

            (4) Enter into contracts with management boards administering pilot programs. At a minimum, the contracts shall require the following:

            (a) Revised and newly created course materials including ancillary materials and related learning materials.

            (b) Instructional materials be made available in the statewide digital platform of open educational resources maintained by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network in order to ensure materials are discoverable and widely available. Materials shall be made available under a license consistent with the availability of open educational resource materials.

            C.(1) In submitting proposals pursuant to Subsection B of this Section, management boards interested in participating shall:

            (a) Demonstrate the anticipated number of students who would benefit from the program; the courses in which the awarded funds will be used, the textbooks currently being used in the courses, and the proposed use of open educational resources in the courses; and the estimated average amount of savings per student.

            (b) Either propose customizing course instruction to currently available open educational resources or developing new course instruction using open educational resources.

            (c) Identify the faculty who would customize course instruction to existing open educational resources or develop new course instruction using open educational resources.

            (2) In awarding funding, the board shall give priority to proposals that include the following:

            (a) Targeted learning modules to provide additional student supports to combat ongoing learning loss.

            (b) Resources to help students develop necessary employability skills including but not limited to digital skills, financial literacy, time management, communication, and goal setting.

            D.(1) The provisions of this Section shall be implemented beginning with the 2024 fall semester.

            (2) The provisions of this Section shall terminate September 2, 2026.

            (3) Not later than September 1, 2026, the Board of Regents shall provide a written report to the governor, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairmen of the legislative committees on education and commerce on the program.

            Acts 2023, No. 128, §1.