MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Simmons

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM AUTHORIZING LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS IN THE STATE TO REQUIRE ALL PUPILS IN GRADES 1-12 TO READ A MINIMUM OF FOUR BOOKS PER SCHOOL YEAR AND MAKE REPORTS THEREON; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP AND ISSUE GUIDELINES UNDER WHICH SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY APPLY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PILOT PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby established a pilot program to be administered by the State Department of Education under which the school boards of participating school districts shall require the teachers under their control to have all pupils in Grades 1-12 to read a minimum of four (4) books per school year, in addition to regular textbook requirements, and to make satisfactory book reports thereon. The State Board of Education shall receive and review applications for this program and may approve applications, on a pilot program basis, for up to ten (10) local school districts throughout the state, with at least one (1) pilot program to be approved in Sunflower and Bolivar Counties, respectively, unless there are no applications submitted from the school districts within said counties. At least three (3) approved school districts shall have an accreditation level of three (3) or below at the time the district submits its application unless there are no applications submitted from such school districts.

(2) The State Department of Education is hereby authorized to develop and issue curriculum guidelines to school districts relating to the implementation of the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, including recommendations on age-appropriate books.

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