Senate Bill 2318

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT END-OF-COURSE ASSESSMENTS REQUIRED FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SHALL INCLUDE ONLY THOSE REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW; 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, provided that end-of-course assessments required for graduation shall only include those that are required by federal law.

(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.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.