MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Kirby

Senate Bill 2748

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION TO EXEMPT FROM THE FUNCTIONAL LITERACY EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT ANY PHYSICALLY DISABLED STUDENT WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCY IN THOSE AREAS TO BE TESTED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

 

SECTION 1. Section 37-16-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-16-7. (1) Each district school board shall establish standards for graduation from its schools which shall include as a minimum:

(a) Mastery of the minimum performance standards in reading, writing and mathematics skills, utilized in everyday life situations, measured in a functional literacy examination developed and administered by the State Board of Education in a manner prescribed after a public hearing. The State Superintendent of Education may grant an exemption, in whole or in part, from this examination to any physically disabled student who has demonstrated competency in those areas to be tested, only if said physical disability severely limits the student's ability to take the examination. Said exemption may be granted upon petition from the student's local superintendent of schools. The petition shall plainly state the reasons for the exemption, including a record of the student's academic achievement and certification from a licensed and competent physician that the testing would impose undue hardship on the student.

(b) Completion of a minimum number of academic credits, and all other applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board.

(2) A student who meets all requirements prescribed in subsection (1) of this section shall be awarded a standard diploma in a form prescribed by the state board.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.