MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Nunnelee

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-147, Mississippi Code of 1972, TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE AN ANNUAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS FOR PROVIDING FULL INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN ALL ASPECTS OF ACADEMIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-23-147, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-23-147. (1) The State Department of Education shall establish goals for the performance of children with disabilities that will promote the purpose of IDEA and are consistent, to the maximum extent appropriate, with other goals and standards for children established by the State Department of Education. Performance indicators used to assess progress toward achieving those goals that, at a minimum, address the performance of children with disabilities on assessments, drop-out rates, and graduation rates shall be developed. Every two (2) years, the progress toward meeting the established performance goals shall be reported to the public.

(2) In accordance with individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulation 300.550, it is the policy of the Mississippi Department of Education that each child with a disability be educated with children having no disabilities in his/her age range to the maximum extent appropriate, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities. No special classes, separate schools or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment shall occur unless the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Students with disabilities are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities. Local school districts and other agencies who provide special education and related services to children with disabilities are required to adopt this policy and the procedures necessary to implement it.

(3) To encourage the full inclusion of children with disabilities in all aspects of academic and extracurricular activities, the State Department of Education shall provide special recognition to the schools receiving such designation and their school districts. Examples of such recognition may include, but not be limited to: public announcements and events, certificates of recognition and plaques for teachers, principals, superintendents and parents, and media announcements utilizing the services of Mississippi Educational Television. This special recognition shall be awarded to one (1) elementary, one (1) middle school, and one (1) high school, based on entries submitted to the Mississippi Advisory Committee for Special Education by the deadline of March 31. These entries shall be in the form of a report, not to exceed five (5) pages, listing name, address and telephone number of the school district/school; teacher or staff responsible for administering the program; type of position held by each of these employees including credentials; description of the program; number of students with disabilities included; type and level of severity of disabilities; number of students without disabilities involved in the program; how long the program has been in operation; benefit of program to all students; and a description of how this program could be replicated by other school districts. Winners of the Exemplary Inclusion Program contest shall be chosen by the Mississippi Advisory Committee for Special Education in April of each year.

Recognition shall be given to these schools during the May Mississippi State Board of Education meeting each year. Information on these exemplary programs shall be provided to other school districts and the general public through news releases, the state department website, and other similar avenues.

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