Senate Bill 2560

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IF A SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIRES STUDENTS TO COMPLETE A MISSISSIPPI HISTORY COURSE TO GRADUATE THEN IT SHALL DEVELOP A PROCEDURE FOR STUDENTS WHO TRANSFERRED INTO THE DISTRICT FROM A DISTRICT THAT DID NOT REQUIRE SUCH COURSE; TO REQUIRE ALTERNATIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE THE COURSE FOR FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS; TO REQUIRE DISTRICTS TO INCLUDE ALTERNATIVE COURSES THAT MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE MISSISSIPPI HISTORY COURSE FOR PURPOSE OF GRADUATION; 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 minimum academic skills as measured by assessments developed and administered by the State Board of Education.

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

(c) By school, information on high school graduation rates. High schools with graduation rates lower than eighty percent (80%) must submit a detailed plan to the Mississippi Department of Education to restructure the high school experience to improve graduation rates.

(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 of Education.

(3) The State Board of Education may establish student proficiency standards for promotion to grade levels leading to graduation.

(4) If a school district requires students to complete a Mississippi History course to graduate then the district shall develop a procedure for students who transferred into the district from a district that did not require such course. For freshmen, sophomores and juniors who transfer into such a district, the school district shall notify the student of an alternative opportunity to take the Mississippi History course, including, but not limited to, an online class or in-person summer school class. Such districts shall include alternative courses that may be substituted for the Mississippi History course for purposes of graduation for seniors who transfer into such a district.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.