MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Farris

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ANY CURRICULUM IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF MISSISSIPPI FOR GRADES K-3 TO INCLUDE CERTAIN RESEARCH-BASED READING INSTRUCTION; TO REQUIRE ALL THIRD-GRADE STUDENTS TO TAKE A NATIONALLY STANDARDIZED NORM-REFERENCED TEST OF BASIC READING SKILLS; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALIZED READING INSTRUCTION TO STUDENTS SCORING BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE ON THE TEST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Any curriculum in the public schools of Mississippi for Grades K-3 shall include the following research-based reading instruction in each of these grades:

(a) Direct systematic intensive instruction in phonemic awareness;

(b) Direct systematic, intensive, explicit instruction in sound-symbol relationships (phonics);

(c) Ample practice in decodable vocabulary-controlled texts (texts in which ninety-five percent (95%) of the words are decodable using previously taught sound-symbol association and word attack skills);

(d) Direct systematic intensive instruction in the morphologic structure of English;

(e) Direct systematic intensive instruction in word attack skills;

(f) Direct systematic intensive instruction in spelling;

(g) Direct systematic intensive instruction in vocabulary development; and

(h) Direct systematic intensive instruction in grammar, punctuation and capitalization.

(2) All third-grade students shall take a nationally standardized norm-referenced test of basic reading (decoding) and reading comprehension.

(3) Any student who achieves a score on the test required under subsection (2) of this section which is below the national average shall be provided individualized remedial instruction, in addition to the regular curriculum of reading instruction, by the school district until the student has achieved a level of basic reading and reading comprehension consistent with the national average.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.