MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Representative Brown, Weathersby, Lott, Montgomery
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT A DIPLOMA PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN DIRECT ENTRY INTO THE WORKFORCE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The State Department of Education shall design and implement a diploma program designed for students who are interested in direct entry into the workforce immediately following high school graduation. It is the intent of the Legislature that the curriculum for this diploma program be rigorous, meeting the requirements based on research outlining the skills needed for entry into the workforce. This diploma program shall comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The department shall implement this diploma program for entering ninth graders beginning with the 2007-2008 school year. The department shall report to the Legislature on January 1, 2007, on its plan for this diploma program.
SECTION 2. Section 1 of this act shall be codified as a new section in Chapter 3, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.