MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Lott

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ESTABLISH A VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TRACK AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR STUDENTS TO THE COLLEGE PREPARATORY CURRICULUM; TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS IN THE VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TRACK SHALL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE CORE CURRICULUM DEFINED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND MAY EARN ADDITIONAL CREDITS FOR PARTICIPATION IN COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-31-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES SCHOOL BOARDS TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND CLASSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The school board of a local school district, in its discretion, may establish and implement a vocational and technical education track in the high schools in that district as an alternative to the college preparatory curriculum. The purpose of a vocational and technical education track established pursuant to this section shall be to provide those students who do not intend to pursue a traditional college education with skills and training that will lead to gainful employment in a trade or vocation.

(2) Students who participate in the vocational and technical education track shall be required to complete the core curriculum defined by the State Board of Education. In addition, a student in the vocational and technical education track may be awarded credit for an additional four (4) high school units earned through the track, which units shall apply toward, and must be recognized by the State Board of Education in fulfillment of, the local school district's graduation requirements. Units may be awarded in the vocational and technical education track for participation in a cooperative education program, whereby a student gains actual work experience in his chosen field through employment in a job approved by the local school district. The local school district shall adopt policies governing the participation of students in a cooperative education program.

(3) Students successfully completing a vocational and technical education track established pursuant to this section are entitled to diploma evidencing graduation from a high school in Mississippi.

SECTION 2. Section 37-31-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-31-15. The school board may, in its discretion, cooperate with the State Board of Education in the establishment and maintenance of vocational and technical schools or classes giving instruction in vocational and technical training which does not terminate in a bachelors degree to persons in need of such instruction, and may use for paying the cost of such cooperation any monies raised by public taxation in the same manner as monies for other school purposes are used for the maintenance and support of public schools.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.