MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Representative Hines
AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE "EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT ACT"; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT A POLICY REQUIRING LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OPERATE THEIR SCHOOLS FOR REQUIRED INSTRUCTION FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY; TO PROVIDE THAT THIS TIME SHALL NOT EFFECT OR REDUCE THE LENGTH OF THE SCHOOL TERM; TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO IMPLEMENT A POLICY REDUCING CLASS SIZES; TO PROVIDE THAT NO CHARTER SCHOOL MAY BE ESTABLISHED IN ANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-67, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. This shall be known and may be cited as the "Education Improvement Act."
SECTION 2. Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, the State Board of Education shall adopt a policy to be implemented by each local school board of a public school district to require the duration of the instructional school day to begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The length of the school day shall in no manner effect or reduce the minimum length of the school term as provided under Section 37-13-63.
SECTION 3. (1) The local school board of a public school district shall adopt and implement a policy reducing classroom size in order to enable each student to acquire the appropriate level of instruction and adequate grade level attainment. The board shall limit the size of classes in the public schools of the district to provide the following:
(a) Elementary schools, consisting of Grades K-5, shall not have classes exceeding eighteen (18) students per classroom;
(b) Middle schools, consisting of Grades 6-8, shall not have classes exceeding twenty-two (22) students per classroom; and
(c) High schools, consisting of Grades 9-12, shall not have classes exceeding twenty-five (25) students per classroom.
(2) Subject to Legislative authority given to the State Board of Education for the establishment of charter schools and the procedures by which charter status is granted, the local school board of any school district failing to adopt and implement the policies required under this section and Section 2 of this act shall not approve the submission of any application to the chartering authority for the establishment of a charter school in the district until the district comes into compliance with the provisions of this act.
SECTION 4. Section 37-13-67, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-13-67. The number of hours of actual teaching which shall constitute a school day shall be determined and fixed by the board of trustees of the school district at not less than seven (7) hours.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.