MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Juvenile Justice; Education

By: Representative Flaggs

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM OF STUDENT ASSISTANCE AND PEER COUNSELING THAT WILL BE USED IN ALL PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE STATE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE DETENTION OR SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS; TO PRESCRIBE THE MINIMUM COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The State Department of Education shall establish a program of student assistance and peer counseling that will be used in all public high schools in the state as an alternative to the detention or suspension of students. The department shall determine and prescribe the components of the program, which will include the following, at a minimum:

(a) The program will be conducted in a room at the school that is a restricted environment. The principal of the school is the only person who may admit students to the program, and the principal also will determine how long a student will stay in the program.

(b) Students in the program will receive assignments from teachers, will be provided with one-on-one help with regular schoolwork, and will receive a folder of learning activities to help develop the skills necessary to cope with everyday behavior.

(c) Students will receive counseling from peer counselors on a daily basis, in order to modify behavior and develop the skills necessary to cope with everyday behavior. Peer counselors also will tutor students with learning problems. Peer counselors must be students who are juniors or seniors, make good grades, work well with their peers, are not judgmental, have high tolerance for people in trouble, are drug and alcohol free, and set a positive example for living. Peer counselors will be trained in listening skills, conflict resolution, and dealing with current personal and family problems.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.