House Bill 1565

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DIRECT EACH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENT THE CAPABLE CURRICULUM TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS OF INSTRUCTION ON DISABILITY INCLUSION AND CHARACTER EDUCATION THROUGH SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING; TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO REVIEW AND EVALUATE PROGRAMS HOSTED BY A SCHOOL OR ON SCHOOL PREMISES TO ENSURE ADA COMPLIANCE; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO COMPILE DATA ON ADA COMPLIANCE BY SCHOOLS AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS PLAN USED TO ADDRESS ANY ADA SHORTFALLS TO BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The State Board of Education shall direct the school board of each local district to implement disability inclusion and character education into the classroom curriculum using the CapABLE framework module to equip students with concrete skills, knowledge and appropriate language that can be applied in and out of the classroom through social emotional learning. Using curriculum developed by and accessible through access provided by a state-approved nonprofit entity, teachers and other qualified educational personnel shall utilize the resource materials made available through the CapABLE web-based platform to effectuate the components of the curriculum through traditional instructional implements or STEM instruction.

(2) Once implemented, school boards may direct schools to collaborate with appropriate organization and advocates of inclusion and social emotional supports to host programs or opportunities to speak at school functions to discuss individuals experiences and further promotion of the curriculum and to provide professional development opportunities to teachers to assist in their understanding and delivery of the curricula.

(3) Each school district shall review events hosted by or conducted on the premises of schools within the district to ensure ADA compliance and the inclusion of individuals with disabilities.

(4) Within five (5) years of implementing the curriculum in public school districts throughout the state, the State Board of Education shall collect annual data detailing the shortfalls in ADA compliance in each school district and develop a corrective plan to address and fix them, which such reported data shall be compiled in a summative report and presented to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2029.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.