MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Senator(s) Longwitz
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE QUALITY COMMON CORE CURRICULUM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PASS THE ACT TEST WITH A SATISFACTORY SCORE DETERMINED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ORDER TO EARN A STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM A PUBLIC SCHOOL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-16-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-16-7. (1) Each district school board shall establish standards for graduation from its schools which shall include as a minimum:
(a) Mastery of minimum
academic skills as measured by assessments developed and administered by the
State Board of Education * * *.; and
(b) Completion of a
minimum number of academic credits, and all other applicable requirements
prescribed by the district school board * * *; and
(c) Following implementation of the Quality Common Core Curriculum, students who enter Grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year or in school years thereafter shall be required to pass the ACT Test with a satisfactory score as determined by the State Board of Education.
(2) A student who meets all requirements prescribed in subsection (1) of this section shall be awarded a standard diploma in a form prescribed by the state board. Students who meet these requirements but do not pass the required ACT Test will receive a Certificate of Completion which is not equivalent to a standard high school diploma.
(3) The State Board of Education may establish student proficiency standards for promotion to grade levels leading to graduation.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.