House Bill 597

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-1-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL THIRD GRADE STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO MEET PROFICIENCY LEVELS IN MATH AND READING TO ATTEND SUMMER SCHOOL; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL DETERMINE THE LEVELS OF PROFICIENCY IN MATH AND READING FOR ALL THIRD GRADE STUDENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-1-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-1-3. (1) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations and set standards and policies for the organization, operation, management, planning, budgeting and programs of the State Department of Education.

(a) The board is directed to identify all functions of the department that contribute to or comprise a part of the state system of educational accountability and to establish and maintain within the department the necessary organizational structure, policies and procedures for effectively coordinating such functions. Such policies and procedures shall clearly fix and delineate responsibilities for various aspects of the system and for overall coordination of the total system and its effective management.

(b) The board shall establish and maintain a system-wide plan of performance, policy and directions of public education not otherwise provided for.

(c) The board shall effectively use the personnel and resources of the department to enhance technical assistance to school districts in instruction and management therein.

(d) The board shall establish and maintain a central budget policy.

(e) The board shall establish and maintain within the State Department of Education a central management capacity under the direction of the State Superintendent of Public Education.

(f) The board, with recommendations from the superintendent, shall design and maintain a five-year plan and program for educational improvement that shall set forth objectives for system performance and development and be the basis for budget requests and legislative initiatives.

(2) (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt and maintain a curriculum and a course of study to be used in the public schools that is designed to prepare the state's children and youth to be productive, informed, creative citizens, workers and leaders, and it shall regulate all matters arising in the practical administration of the school system not otherwise provided for.

(b) Before the 1999-2000 school year, the State Board of Education shall develop personal living and finances objectives that focus on money management skills for individuals and families for appropriate, existing courses at the secondary level. The objectives must require the teaching of those skills necessary to handle personal business and finances and must include instruction in the following:

(i) Opening a bank account and assessing the quality of a bank's services;

(ii) Balancing a checkbook;

(iii) Managing debt, including retail and credit card debt;

(iv) Completing a loan application;

(v) The implications of an inheritance;

(vi) The basics of personal insurance policies;

(vii) Consumer rights and responsibilities;

(viii) Dealing with salesmen and merchants;

(ix) Computing state and federal income taxes;

(x) Local tax assessments;

(xi) Computing interest rates by various mechanisms;

(xii) Understanding simple contracts; and

(xiii) Contesting an incorrect billing statement.

(c) The State Board of Education shall require all third grade students who fail to meet proficiency levels in math and reading to attend summer school. The board shall determine the proficiency levels to be obtained in math and reading by all third grade students.

(3) The State Board of Education shall through its actions seek to implement the policies set forth in Section 37-1-2.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.