MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Representative Barnett (92nd)

AN ACT TO PROVIDE AN ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS UNDER THE MINIMUM EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF EMPLOYING ARTS INSTRUCTORS IN GRADES K-8, TO REQUIRE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS RECEIVING FUNDING UNDER THE PROGRAM TO BE PHASED IN OVER THE NEXT FIFTEEN YEARS AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CONDITIONS ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF STATE-FUNDED ARTS INSTRUCTORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, in addition to other funds allotted under the minimum education program, the State Department of Education shall allot funding to school districts for the purpose of employing arts education instructors for students in kindergarten through Grade 8.

(2) Funding allotted to school districts for arts education instructors shall be sufficient to employ one (1) instructor in each of the disciplines of music, dance, theater and visual arts for every four hundred (400) students in average daily attendance in kindergarten through Grade 8. Funding for arts education instructors shall be phased in over a period of fifteen (15) years, with additional school districts receiving funds each year, in accordance with the following schedule:

PARTICIPATING STATE-FUNDED

FISCAL YEAR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARTS INSTRUCTORS

2000-2001 20 80

2001-2002 30 120

2002-2003 35 140

2003-2004 45 180

2004-2005 50 200

2005-2006 60 240

2006-2007 65 260

2007-2008 75 300

2008-2009 80 320

2009-2010 90 360

2010-2011 95 380

2011-2012 105 420

2012-2013 110 440

2013-2014 120 480

2014-2015 125 500

(3) During the 2000-2001 fiscal year, the State Department of Education shall allot funding for arts education instructors to those school districts that have been trained through the Mississippi Arts Commission's Whole Schools Institute before July 1, 2000. The State Board of Education shall establish, by rules and regulations, the process by which school districts shall be selected to receive such funding in subsequent fiscal years.

(4) School districts allotted funds for employing arts education instructors shall ensure that every student, regardless of talent or ability, in kindergarten through Grade 8 receives direct instruction from the arts education instructors.

(5) A person may not be employed as an arts education instructor using funds allotted under this section unless the individual has completed appropriate training in his discipline and has proper certification, as determined by the State Department of Education.

(6) Arts education instructors must be full-time professional personnel and must spend a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of work time in direct arts instruction with students. School districts shall afford the arts education instructors sufficient time for curriculum coordination and planning with other instructors.

(7) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any school district from employing with local funds more arts education instructors than are provided for in this section.

(8) The Mississippi Arts Commission, in collaboration with the State Department of Education, shall employ professional, outside evaluators to document the impact of arts education instruction on student learning and the overall learning environment in those schools having arts education programs. Beginning in 2001, the commission and the department jointly shall prepare an annual written report on the state-funded arts education instruction program in the public schools, to be submitted to the Chairmen of the Education Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate and the State Board of Education before September 1.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.