MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Hall

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS SHALL INCLUDE 75 HOURS OF STUDENT COMMUNITY SERVICE OR AN EQUIVALENT PROGRAM APPROVED BY THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION; 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.

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

(c) Student Service. Students shall complete one of the following:

(i) Seventy-five (75) hours of student volunteer community service that includes preparation, action, and reflection components, which, at the discretion of the local school board, may begin during the middle grades; or

(ii) An equivalent locally designed program in student volunteer community service that has been approved by the State Superintendent of Education.

(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, 1999.