House Bill 1142

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-177-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL WAIVE THE LEVEL 3 PASSING SCORE REQUIRED ON THE 3RD GRADE MAAP-ELA ASSESSMENT FOR PROMOTION TO GRADE 4; TO PROVIDE THAT FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ALLOW STUDENTS EARNING A LEVEL 2 OR HIGHER ON THE MAAP-ELA ASSESSMENT FOR PROMOTION TO GRADE 4; TO PROVIDE FOR THE REPEAL OF THE WAIVER ON JULY 1, 2023; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-177-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-177-9. (1) A public school student may not be assigned a grade level based solely on the student's age or any other factors that constitute social promotion.

(2) Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, if a student's reading deficiency is not remedied by the end of the student's third-grade year, as demonstrated by the student scoring at the lowest achievement level in reading on the state annual accountability assessment or on an approved alternative standardized assessment for third grade, the student shall not be promoted to fourth grade.

(3) Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, if a student's reading deficiency is not remedied by the end of the student's third-grade year, as demonstrated by the student scoring above the lowest two (2) achievement levels in reading on the state annual accountability assessment or on an approved alternative standardized assessment for third grade, the student shall not be promoted to fourth grade.

(4) For the 2021-2022 school year, the State Department of Education shall waive the requirement for students to earn a Level 3 or higher on the multiple choice portion of the 3rd Grade MAAP-ELA Assessment, the 3rd Grade Reading Alternative Assessment or earning a Level 3 composite score on the 3rd Grade MAAP-ELA Assessment for promotion to Grade 4. Instead, the department shall allow any student earning a Level 2 or higher on the multiple-choice portion of the 3rd Grade MAAP-ELA Assessment, 3rd Grade Reading Alternative Assessment or earning a Level 2 or higher composite score on the 3rd Grade MAAP-ELA Assessment for promotion to Grade 4. This subsection (4) shall stand repealed on July 1, 2023.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.