MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Education; Appropriations
By: Representative Moore
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-177-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ONE SCREENING ASSESSMENT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ALL SCHOOLS FOR REQUIRED USE IN GRADES K-3 AS A COMPONENT OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT'S READING INTERVENTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY READING DEFICIENCIES AND DETERMINE PROGRESS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-177-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-177-5. The State
Department of Education shall establish a Mississippi Reading Panel to
collaborate with the State Department of Education in recommending appropriate
equitable alternative standardized assessments and cut scores to be used to
determine promotion to the Fourth Grade of those Third Grade students who
scored at the lowest achievement level on the state annual accountability
assessment or who, for unforeseen circumstances, were unable to take the
assessment. The panel should have knowledge and input in the adoption or
development of a universal screener for required use only in select schools
most in need for the reading intervention program to identify reading
deficiencies and determine progress. * * * One (1) screening assessment should be available to all
schools for required use in Grades K-3. An approved alternative
standardized reading assessment may be used in 2014-2015 in the transition to
common core standardization of testing. The panel shall consist of six (6)
members as follows: the State Superintendent of Public Education, or
his/her designee, who will chair the committee; the Chair of the House
Education Committee, or his designee; the Chairman of the Senate Education
Committee, or his designee; one (1) member appointed by the Governor; and two
(2) additional members appointed by the State Superintendent of Public
Education.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.