House Bill 385

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-16-2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO CONTRACT WITH A SINGLE ENTITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GRADES 3-10 AS WELL AS ALGEBRA I AND ENGLISH II, WHICH IS ALIGNED TO THE MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE AND CAREER-READY STANDARDS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE A JOB SKILLS ASSESSMENT SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO EARN A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATE CREDENTIALING WORKPLACE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS; TO REQUIRE THE STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM TO BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-16-1, 37-16-3, 37-16-4, 37-16-5, 37-16-7, 37-16-9 AND 37-16-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATE TO THE STATEWIDE TESTING PROGRAM, AND SECTIONS 37-3-49, 37-15-38, 37-17-6, 37-18-1, 37-18-3, 37-20-5, 37-20-7 AND 37-28-45, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO PROHIBIT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM CONTRACTING WITH ANY ENTITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT WHOSE ALIGNMENT OF CURRICULUM AND TESTING STANDARDS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PARTNERSHIP FOR ASSESSMENT OF READINESS FOR COLLEGE AN CAREERS (PARCC) WITHOUT EXPRESS LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-11, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A STANDARD DIPLOMA TO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENTS WHO HAVE IEPS UPON MEETING THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THEIR IEP AND THOSE ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD TO JOINTLY ESTABLISH THE PUL ALLIANCE CAREER TRACK PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE CAREER TRACK CURRICULUM AND COURSE OF STUDY TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR JOB PLACEMENT UPON GRADUATING AND MEETING THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS AND PASSING THE WORKKEYS TESTING ASSESSMENT FOR ISSUANCE OF A DIPLOMA; TO ALLOW OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS OUTSIDE OF THE PUL ALLIANCE TO PETITION THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR INCLUSION INTO THE PILOT PROGRAM; TO PRESCRIBE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THE PILOT PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE WORKKEYS TESTING ASSESSMENT SHALL BE THE EXIT EXAM FOR STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM, WHO SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF THE STATEMENT SUBJECT AREA TESTING PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Philip Gunn

  Sponsor

• House of Representatives floor amendmentPending

• House of Representatives floor amendmentPending

• House of Representatives floor amendmentPending

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

In the House of Representatives Jan 12 – Jan 29

1. Jan 12Referred to the House committee on Education
2. Jan 21Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass as a committee substitute
3. Read the third time in the House
4. Jan 29Committee substitute adopted in the House
5. Amended in the House
6. Passed the House as amended

In the Senate Feb 2 – Mar 3

1. Feb 2Sent to the Senate
2. Feb 17Referred to the Senate committees on Education and on Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
3. Mar 3Died in committee in the Senate