MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Representative Fleming
AN ACT TO CREATE THE SCHOOL TESTING RIGHT TO KNOW ACT, WHICH PROVIDES POLICYMAKERS AND THE PUBLIC WITH ACCURATE INFORMATION WITH WHICH TO MAKE FUTURE DECISIONS ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF EDUCATION POLICY IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. This act shall be known as the "School Testing Right to Know Act."
SECTION 2. The Legislature finds that:
(a) The federal No Child Left Behind Act aims to dramatically increase the use and importance of primary and secondary school standardized tests.
(b) Standardized test scores do not accurately assess the causes of low student achievement; instead, they distract attention from the major causes of low academic performance, poverty and the lack of resources available to meet low-income students' needs.
(c) When standardized test scores are released to the public, policymakers, parents and taxpayers have the right to know all relevant data relating to these scores.
SECTION 3. This act is intended to provide policymakers and the public with accurate information with which to make future decisions about the direction of education policy in the State of Mississippi.
SECTION 4. No agency, department, institution or political subdivision of the state, or any other governmental entity within the state, shall release any school-by-school or district-by-district listing of primary or secondary school standardized test scores to the public without simultaneously listing the following information for the same schools or districts:
(a) Percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals;
(b) Student mobility rate, that is, a measure of students who enter or leave a school during the school year;
(c) Per-student expenditure by school, not including district-wide administrative costs;
(d) Average class size;
(e) For students who enter a school after Grade 3, the percentage whose skills are assessed at below basic upon entering the school; and
(f) Percentage of students who qualify for special education services.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.