MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Education; Universities and Colleges
By: Representative Scott
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ACTING JOINTLY WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES, TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI SENIOR CADETS PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO IMPROVE POOR ACADEMIC SCORES AND REDUCE HIGH DROP-OUT RATES THROUGHOUT THE STATE; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CREATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM; TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The State Board of Education, acting jointly with the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, shall establish a program to be known as the "Mississippi Senior Cadets Program," the purpose of which is to improve poor academic scores and reduce high drop-out rates throughout the state by encouraging high school seniors to mentor kindergarten through Grade 8 students in their respective school districts.
(2) The State Department of Education is the agency responsible for the administration of the program. The department shall create rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the program and guidelines for school districts and mentors.
(3) Any high school senior participating in this program must:
(a) Mentor at least five (5) hours a week;
(b) Work with appropriate personnel at the student's school for at least two (2) hours a month in planning and implementing the mentoring program; and
(c) Maintain at least a "B" average or higher in the student's senior school coursework.
(4) Senior high school students who successfully fulfill the requirements of the program as designed by the State Department of Education must be given:
(a) Preference for scholarship grants provided to Mississippi residents by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board, the state institutions of higher learning and the community and junior colleges;
(b) Three (3) hours of elective credit to satisfy high school graduation requirements; and
(c) Three (3) semester hours of college credit at a community or junior college or state institution of higher learning.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2012.