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Bill

HB 1059

TOPS: Provides relative to core curriculum requirements for TOPS and TOPS-Tech awards in the subject of mathematics (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tehmi Chassion

HB 1059 keeps four math units for TOPS but lets Integrated Math I, II, and III be substituted separately for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, increasing course options for elig

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 1059

Summary of HB 1059 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)

Purpose

HB 1059 revises the high school math core curriculum requirements for TOPS scholarship eligibility, specifically allowing greater flexibility in how Integrated Mathematics courses may satisfy the required math units. The bill focuses on the TOPS program (including TOPS, TOPS-Tech) and applies to students graduating in various future school years as outlined in the bill.

Key Provisions

  • The math portion of the high school core for TOPS-related awards remains four units, but the way those units can be satisfied changes.

For TOPS (non-Tech awards: Opportunity, Performance, Honors, Excellence)

  • Present law requires four units of math, with a core sequence generally based on Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, allowing a substitute sequence using Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III.
  • HB 1059 retains the four-unit requirement but changes substitution rules:
    • Integrated Math I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II individually, rather than requiring the entire three-course sequence as a single substitution. In short: students may substitute Integrated Math I for Algebra I, or Integrated Math II for Geometry, or Integrated Math III for Algebra II, independently of one another.

For TOPS-Tech

  • Present law requires four units of math, with substitution allowed for Integrated Math I, II, and III substituting for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II as a trio (equal to three math credits).
  • HB 1059 changes the rule to allow substitution of individual courses (regardless of sequence) for the four units as follows: 1) Unit 1: One unit must be Algebra I (or Algebra I Part One and Part Two) or an applied/hybrid algebra course. The bill adds Integrated Math I as an option for this unit. 2) Unit 2: Beginning with the 2026-2027 graduating class, one unit may be Geometry (or an applied Geometry course). The bill adds Integrated Math II as an option for this unit. 3) Additional units: A list of acceptable courses includes Algebra II, Integrated Mathematics III, and other math-related courses (e.g., Math Essentials, Financial Literacy, Business Math, Pre-Calculus, etc.). Integrated Math I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II and shall equal three mathematics credits, under the updated framework.
  • This means students may mix and match individual Integrated Math courses with traditional algebra/geometry courses to meet the four-unit requirement, rather than needing a single three-course Integrated Math sequence to satisfy three of the units.

Affected Parties

  • Louisiana high school students aiming for TOPS or TOPS-Tech awards.
  • School districts implementing TOPS core curriculum requirements.
  • The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (implicitly, through implementation of approved course offerings and Jump Start regional options).

Timelines and Phased Changes

  • The bill text indicates phased applicability by graduation year:
    • For TOPS, the math core changes apply to students graduating in and after the 2025-2026 school year (in the narrative summary and digest).
    • For TOPS-Tech, changes apply to students graduating beginning with the 2026-2027 school year (as described in the bill’s sections and digest).
  • The substantive change is a structural substitution option: from a strict complete three-course Integrated Math substitution to individual course substitutions across the four-unit math requirement.

Practical Impact

  • Increased flexibility for students in selecting math coursework to fulfill TOPS and TOPS-Tech requirements.
  • Potentially wider access to Integrated Mathematics or algebra-focused pathways depending on course offerings and school/program availability.
  • Districts may need to adjust counseling, course catalogs, and alignment with Jump Start regional offerings to reflect the new substitution options.

Summary

HB 1059 modernizes and decouples the Integrated Math substitution from a single sequence, allowing students to count Integrated Math I, II, and III as separate substitutions toward the four required math units for TOPS and TOPS-Tech awards. It preserves the overall four-unit math requirement while expanding course-choice flexibility for eligibility, starting with the 2025-2026 graduates for TOPS and 2026-2027 graduates for TOPS-Tech. The bill passed favorably in committee and progressed through the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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