Senate Bill 2326

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO IMPLEMENT A "SEAT TIME WAIVER" PROGRAM OR EARLY GRADUATION POLICY FOR STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE ACCELERATED COURSEWORK; 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.

(b) Completion of a minimum number of academic credits, and all other applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board.

(c) By school, information on high school graduation rates. High schools with graduation rates lower than eighty percent (80%) must submit a detailed plan to the Mississippi Department of Education to restructure the high school experience to improve graduation rates.

(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 of Education.

(3) The State Board of Education may establish student proficiency standards for promotion to grade levels leading to graduation.

(4) By the beginning of 2014-2015 school year, the State Board of Education shall develop and adopt a policy whereby students shall be allowed to accelerate their academic progress, complete all high school graduation requirements established by the board, and receive a high school diploma in less than four (4) years. Such policy shall encourage and support students who seek early graduation from high school and provide for mechanisms to facilitate implementation of this early high school graduation policy by local public schools and school districts which may include flexible course scheduling and use of distance learning, online courses, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and other accelerated learning programs and examinations. Each local public school board shall fully implement the provisions of the early high school graduation policy adopted by the State Board of Education and shall include such in its pupil progression plan.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.