MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Clark, Montgomery (15th)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO AWARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS AND HONORARY EIGHTH GRADE CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION TO WORLD WAR II AND KOREAN CONFLICT VETERANS WHO WERE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION DUE TO THEIR MILITARY SERVICE; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR THE DIPLOMA AND CERTIFICATE; TO ENCOURAGE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION IN AWARDING DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES TO VETERANS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The State Board of Education may award a standard high school diploma in the form prescribed by the board to veterans of World War II and the Korean Conflict who were unable to complete their high school curriculum due to their military service. The diploma is available to any honorably discharged veteran residing in Mississippi who, as a ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade student, was scheduled to graduate between 1941 and 1955 but was inducted into military service before completing the necessary graduation requirements. Family members of deceased eligible veterans may apply for the diploma to be awarded posthumously.

(2) (a) The State Board of Education may award an honorary eighth grade certificate of completion to veterans of World War II and the Korean Conflict who were unable to complete their primary school curriculum due to their military service. The certificate is available to any honorably discharged veteran residing in Mississippi who, as a student in a grade lower than the ninth grade, was inducted into military service before completing the veteran's primary education. Family members of deceased eligible veterans may apply for the certificate to be awarded posthumously.

(b) The State Board of Education shall design an honorary eighth grade certificate of completion specifically for veterans who are eligible for the certificate under this section.

(3) The State Board of Education shall develop a uniform application for persons seeking a diploma under subsection (1) or an honorary eighth grade certificate of completion under subsection (2) of this section. The application shall request no less than the following information:

(a) The veteran's name, social security number and date of birth;

(b) The last year the veteran was in school and the veteran's grade level during that year;

(c) The year the veteran left school to enter World War II or the Korean Conflict;

(d) The year the veteran would have graduated from high school;

(e) The name and location of the school attended;

(f) The date of the veteran's enlistment or draft;

(g) The veteran's service number;

(h) The veteran's date of honorable discharge;

(i) A copy of the veteran's DD-214 form, if available; and

(j) Any other information deemed relevant by the State Board of Education.

The State Board of Education shall provide the State Veterans Affairs Board, local school districts and county departments of human services with copies of the uniform application.

(3) A person may request an application from a local school district, any county department of human services, the State Department of Education or the State Veterans Affairs Board. Completed applications for a diploma or certificate may be submitted to the State Board of Education. Upon verifying the information contained in the application, including verifying the veteran's military service information with the State Veterans Affairs Board, and determining the veteran's eligibility for either the standard high school diploma or honorary eighth grade certificate of completion, the State Board of Education may award the diploma or certificate to the veteran.

(4) The State Board of Education is encouraged to provide appropriate recognition, which may include special ceremonies, to veterans who are awarded high school diplomas or eighth grade certificates of completion under this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.