House Bill 157

AN ACT TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE CORE CURRICULUM REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION IN MISSISSIPPI AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THEREON TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is created a task force to study the core curriculum required for public elementary, secondary, and special education in Mississippi and how to improve and update the curriculum. The task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2005, including any recommended legislation.

(2) The task force shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The State Superintendent of Public Education;

(b) One (1) member of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, to be appointed by the board of trustees;

(c) One (1) representative from the State Department of Education, to be appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Education;

(d) One (1) member of the House of Representatives from each of the four (4) congressional districts to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(e) One (1) senator from each of the four (4) congressional districts to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(f) One (1) representative from the Mississippi Department of Human Services, to be appointed by the executive director of the department;

(g) Two (2) representatives to be appointed by the Governor;

(h) One (1) representative from the Mississippi Association of Educators, to be appointed by the executive director of that association;

(i) One (1) representative from the Mississippi Professional Educators, to be appointed by the executive director of that organization;

(j) One (1) representative from the Mississippi Association of Social Workers, to be appointed by the executive director of that association;

(k) One (1) representative from the Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, to be appointed by the executive director of that organization.

(3) Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act, and the task force shall meet and organize within fifteen (15) days after appointment of the members, on a day to be designated jointly by the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor.

(4) The task force shall study and make recommendations regarding the core curriculum required in public elementary, secondary and special education and how to improve and update the curriculum.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.