House Bill 955

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE "READING PROFICIENCY PROGRAM" TO IMPROVE KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST THROUGH THIRD GRADE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS' READING SKILLS SO THAT EVERY STUDENT COMPLETING THIRD GRADE READS AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE READING INSTRUCTION AND INTERVENTION TO STUDENTS EXHIBITING A SUBSTANTIAL DEFICIENCY IN READING IN KINDERGARTEN AND GRADES 1 THROUGH 3; TO PROHIBIT THE PROMOTION OF STUDENTS WHOSE READING DEFICIENCY IS NOT REMEDIED BEFORE THE END OF THIRD GRADE; TO REQUIRE NOTICE TO BE GIVEN TO PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST THROUGH THIRD GRADE STUDENTS EXHIBITING A READING DEFICIENCY; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI READING PANEL TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENTS AND EVALUATIONS; TO PROHIBIT THE PROMOTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS BASED SOLELY ON A STUDENT'S AGE OR OTHER SOCIAL PROMOTION FACTORS; TO ESTABLISH GOOD CAUSE EXEMPTIONS FOR PROMOTION FOR THIRD GRADE STUDENTS FAILING TO MEET ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PROMOTION; TO PROVIDE FOR MAKE-UP TESTING OPPORTUNITIES IN THIRD GRADE READING; TO SPECIFY CERTAIN ACTIONS SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST TAKE IN IMPLEMENTING THE READING PROFICIENCY PROGRAM IN KINDERGARTEN AND GRADES 1 THROUGH 3; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORTS TO PARENTS ON THEIR RESPECTIVE STUDENT'S PROGRESS IN SCHOOL; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO PUBLISH DATA REFLECTING STUDENT PROGRESSION AND PERFORMANCE IN A LOCAL NEWSPAPER; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT POLICIES NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE STATE FUNDING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE READING SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Rita Martinson

  Sponsor

• House of Representatives floor amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Feb 11

• House of Representatives floor amendmentPending

• House of Representatives floor amendmentPending

• Senate committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Mar 13

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Jan 21 – Feb 11

1. Jan 21Referred to the House committee on Education
2. Jan 31Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass as a committee substitute
3. Feb 5Read the third time in the House
4. Feb 11Committee substitute adopted in the House
5. Amended in the House
6. Passed the House as amended

In the Senate Feb 13 – Mar 13

1. Feb 13Sent to the Senate
2. Feb 15Referred to the Senate committee on Education
3. Feb 28Reported from committee in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass as amended
4. Mar 13Amended in the Senate
5. Passed the Senate as amended

Back in the House of Representatives Mar 14 – Apr 1

1. Mar 14Returned to the House to concur in the Senate's amendments
2. Mar 18Declined in the House to concur, and invited a conference
3. Mar 25Conferees named in the House: Moore, Martinson and Currie
4. Conferees named in the Senate: Tollison, Burton and Hill
5. Apr 1Died in conference in the House