MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Representative Manning

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY AND ASSESSMENT SUPPORT CENTER AS A SEPARATE STATE AGENCY TO ENHANCE THE STATE INVESTMENT IN A STRONG SYSTEM OF EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TO ENSURE THE ONGOING INTEGRITY OF THE DATA OF THE STATEWIDE ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Education Accountability and Assessment Support Center, the purposes of which shall be to enhance the state investment in a strong system of educational accountability and to ensure the ongoing integrity of the data of the statewide accountability model, specifically, data from standardized assessments.

(2) The Education Accountability and Assessment Support Center shall be responsible for ensuring that accountability assessments:

(a) Are part of a cohesive, comprehensive educational plan to promote academic success of students in Grades K-12; and

(b) Support, rather than contradict, state educational goals, local curricula and teaching and learning processes through coordination of development and implementation of professional training and support, as well as research on progress of educational initiatives, including reports for policy makers and the general public.

(3) In order to promote greater efficiency in the expenditure of state funds, the center shall be established as a separate agency within the state and in a manner to ensure credibility with professional communities, including assessment, school psychometry, psychology and reading. Collaboration with the State Department of Education, specifically the Office of Educational Accountability, shall be established to ensure attainment of goals.

(4) Funding for the center shall be derived from legislative appropriations and shall be based upon no less than ten percent (10%) of funds allocated for assessments used in the accountability model.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.