Bill Text: MS HB1245 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: High school curriculum; provide for separate diplomas for academic curriculum and career major curriculum.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 9-0)
Status: (Failed) 2010-02-02 - Died In Committee [HB1245 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-HB1245-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Representatives Monsour, Baker (8th), Bennett, Carpenter, Ellington, Formby, Howell, Staples, Turner
House Bill 1245
AN ACT TO CREATE A CAREER OPTION IN MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A SEPARATE CAREER DIPLOMA TO ANY STUDENT COMPLETING A CAREER MAJOR PROGRAM CURRICULUM; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT COURSE AND CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CAREER MAJOR PROGRAMS OFFERED BY LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS; TO PROVIDE THAT A CAREER DIPLOMA SHALL BE CONSIDERED A STANDARD DIPLOMA AND MUST BE RECOGNIZED BY ALL COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES; TO REQUIRE TEACHERS TO INCORPORATE A MINIMUM OF SIX ACTIVITIES EXPOSING STUDENTS IN GRADES SIX THROUGH EIGHT TO CAREER AND TECHNICAL AND ACADEMIC FIELDS OF STUDY EACH SCHOOL YEAR AND MAINTAIN RECORDS OF SUCH ACTIVITIES; TO REQUIRE EACH STUDENT TO DEVELOP A FIVE-YEAR INDIVIDUAL GRADUATION PLAN WITH THE INPUT OF HIS OR HER FAMILY THAT SEQUENCES THE STUDENT'S COURSES CONSISTENT WITH THE STUDENT'S GOALS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER GRADUATION; TO REQUIRE GUIDANCE COUNSELORS OR OTHER STAFF PERSONNEL DESIGNATED BY THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TO COMPLETE THE FIVE-YEAR INDIVIDUAL GRADUATION PLAN FOR EACH EIGHTH GRADE STUDENT; TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO CHANGE FROM ONE MAJOR TO ANOTHER AT THE END OF ANY SCHOOL YEAR; TO REQUIRE THE CAREER MAJOR TO BE LINKED TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION OPTIONS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH ALTERNATIVES TO IMMEDIATE ENTRANCE INTO A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL; TO ALLOW STUDENTS PURSUING A CAREER MAJOR TO DUALLY ENROLL IN A COMMUNITY OR JUNIOR COLLEGE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES; TO REQUIRE EACH LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO OFFER ONE OR MORE CAREER MAJOR PROGRAMS, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, UNLESS A WAIVER IS GRANTED TO A SCHOOL DISTRICT UPON A SHOWING OF GOOD CAUSE; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ANNUALLY REVIEW THE MAJORS OFFERED AND EXPAND THOSE OFFERINGS AS APPROPRIATE THROUGH CERTAIN COURSE OFFERINGS; TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIRED ACADEMIC CORE AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL SEQUENCES OF COURSES NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE CAREER MAJOR PROGRAM CURRICULUM; TO REQUIRE EACH LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD SEEKING TO ESTABLISH A CAREER MAJOR TO SUBMIT A PROPOSED CURRICULUM TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR APPROVAL; TO ESTABLISH THE CRITERIA EACH STUDENT SEEKING TO PURSUE A CAREER MAJOR MUST MEET IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE EACH STUDENT SEEKING TO PURSUE A CAREER MAJOR TO ACQUIRE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF HIS OR HER PARENT OR OTHER LEGAL GUARDIAN AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR OR ADMINISTRATOR; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-99, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL DESIGN CURRICULUM CHOICE FOR ENTERING EIGHTH GRADERS FOR A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN DIRECT ENTRY INTO THE WORKFORCE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION; TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS FOR CAREER MAJOR PROGRAM CURRICULUM WILL RECEIVE A CAREER DIPLOMA; TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A PILOT PROGRAM TO REDESIGN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MISSISSIPPI TO FUNCTION NOT ONLY AS CURRICULUM AND EDUCATIONAL ENTITIES BUT ALSO AS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE EACH SCHOOL BOARD IMPLEMENTING A CAREER MAJOR PROGRAM CURRICULUM TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR GRADUATION; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY STUDENT MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD SHALL RECEIVE A CAREER DIPLOMA IN A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO APPOINT A CURRICULUM COMMITTEE, COMPOSED OF PROFESSIONAL AND LAY MEMBERS, TO MAKE A CONTINUOUS STUDY OF THE CURRICULUM OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; TO REVISE THE PER DIEM AND TRAVEL COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-13-58, 37-13-59 AND 37-13-60, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THOSE NEWLY CREATED SECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING AN OCCUPATIONAL DIPLOMA; TO PROVIDE THAT SECTIONS 1 THROUGH 5 OF THIS ACT SHALL BE CODIFIED IN CHAPTER 13, TITLE 37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created a career option in Mississippi's high schools which shall consist of an academic major comprised of college preparatory courses and a career major comprised of challenging academic courses and modern vocational studies.
(2) In addition to any other forms of diploma prescribed by the State Board of Education, the board shall develop and adopt course and curriculum requirements for career major programs offered by local public school boards in accordance with the provisions of this section and shall prescribe the form of a career diploma that shall be awarded to any student who successfully completes the requirements established for an approved career major program curriculum.
(3) (a) It is the intention of the Legislature that graduation from a Mississippi public high school by a student with a career major shall in no way restrict the right of a student who is otherwise eligible to enter into a Mississippi public community or junior college or state institution of higher learning.
(b) A career diploma issued by the school board of a public school district shall be considered a regular standard diploma and must be recognized by all community and junior colleges under the authority of the Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges.
SECTION 2. (1) To prepare students for choosing a career option at the high school level, in Grades 6 through 8, teachers shall incorporate activities which expose students to career and technical and academic fields of study. These activities may include field trips, guest speakers, community services, and other activities such as word processing, desktop production, computer-assisted drafting and graphics and other uses of technology. At least six (6) activities shall be conducted at each grade level during each school year. Each sixth, seventh and eighth grade teacher must maintain records of such activities.
(2) (a) Before the end of the eighth grade, each student shall develop, with the input of his or her family, a Five-Year Individual Graduation Plan. The plan shall include a sequence of courses which is consistent with the student's stated goals for one (1) year after graduation. Each student's Five-Year Individual Graduation Plan shall be reviewed annually by the student, parents and school advisor and revised as needed.
(b) School guidance counselors or other staff personnel designated by the school principal, or both, shall be responsible for the completion of the Five-Year Individual Graduation Plan of each eighth grade student. The guidance counselors or the designated staff personnel, or both, shall counsel each student with regard to high school graduation requirements and shall assist the student in developing his plan. The guidance counselors or the designated staff personnel, or both, shall forward each student's plans to the appropriate high school where that student shall attend.
(3) Throughout high school, each student shall pursue the rigorous core curriculum required for his chosen major by his or her school as approved by the State Board of Education.
(4) Students may change from one (1) major to another at the end of any school year.
SECTION 3. (1) (a) A career major shall provide a student with greater technical skill and a strong academic core and shall be offered to each high school student enrolled in any local public school district that offers a career major program. The major shall be linked to postsecondary education options and shall prepare students to pursue either a degree or certification from a community or junior college, an industry-based training or certification, an apprenticeship, the military, or immediate entrance into a career field. The major shall be designed primarily for those students who are not initially college bound and shall provide them with alternatives to immediate entrance into a four-year university or college after high school graduation.
(b) Students pursuing a career major shall be afforded the opportunity to dually enroll in a community or junior college under the authority of the Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, as provided by Section 37-15-38, or to participate in a business internship or work-study program when, in the determination of the local school districts, the opportunities are available and appropriate.
(2) (a) Each local public school district shall develop and offer one or more career major programs, subject to approval by the State Board of Education. However, any school district may be granted a waiver from this requirement by the State Board of Education for good cause.
(b) School districts shall review the majors offered each year and expand offerings as appropriate, including courses offered through articulation, dual enrollment, correspondence and technological methods such as distance learning through the Internet and compressed video.
(3) Students in a career major program shall be required to complete an academic core of courses and a career and technical sequence of courses which shall consist of the following:
(a) At least four (4) English credits, including English I, English II, and two (2) additional courses comparable or identical to English courses offered by a Mississippi community or junior college, as approved by the State Board of Education;
(b) At least four (4) mathematics credits, including Algebra I, Algebra I Part One, and Algebra I Part Two, or an applied or hybrid Algebra course, and additional applied or hybrid mathematics courses comparable or identical to courses offered by a Mississippi community or junior college as needed to fulfill the mathematics course requirements, as approved by the State Board of Education;
(c) At least three (3) science credits, including one (1) unit of Biology and two (2) additional courses selected from a list of science courses related to the student's chosen career major, as approved by the State Board of Education;
(d) At least three (3) social studies credits, including one (1) unit of American History and one (1) additional course selected from a list of social studies courses approved by the State Board of Education;
(e) At least one-half (1/2) credit in a course in free enterprise and one-half (1/2) credit in a civics course. Instructions for each course shall be given in accordance with the course of study prescribed by the State Board of Education. The State Board Education shall prescribe suitable teaching materials for the instruction.
(i) As used in this section, "free enterprise" means an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision rather than state control and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined in a free manner. The required instruction must emphasize the positive values of profit and competition in a free economy and the enhancement of the worth and dignity of the individual under such a system.
(ii) Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, the course of free enterprise required under this subsection must include instruction in personal finance, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following components:
1. Income;
2. Money management;
3. Spending and credit;
4. Savings and investing;
(f) At least seven (7) credits in career and technical education courses with end-of-course testing, as appropriate and approved by the State Board of Education, including at least one-half (1/2) credit in a career readiness course and one (1) credit in a computer applications course. Courses shall be selected to prepare a student for postsecondary education or a career; and
(g) Any additional electives or career and technical education courses required by the local public school board, as approved by the State Board of Education.
SECTION 4. Each local public school board seeking to establish a career major shall submit a proposed curriculum to the State Board of Education for approval.
SECTION 5. (l) A student who seeks to pursue a career major curriculum must meet the conditions prescribed in the following paragraph (a) or (b):
(a) The student has fulfilled all of the requirements established by the State Board of Education and the local public school board where the student is enrolled for promotion to the ninth grade.
(b) (i) The student is at least fifteen (15) years of age or will attain the age of fifteen (15) during the next school year, scored below the basic level on either the English language arts or mathematics component of the eighth grade Mississippi statewide assessment test, as required by Chapter 16, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972, and meets the objective criteria established by the pupil progression plan of the local public school district where the student is enrolled to enter the ninth grade for the purpose of pursuing a career major curriculum.
(ii) Before entering the ninth grade, the student must complete a summer remediation program in the subject area of any component of the eighth grade Mississippi statewide assessment test on which the student scored below the basic level, as established by the State Board of Education. Any student who fails to satisfactorily complete a summer remediation program must complete any approved developmental course or courses, for credit, as may be deemed necessary to ensure that the student is prepared to undertake the coursework required for his chosen career major.
(iii) The State Board of Education shall certify that the pupil progression plan established by each local public school district which promotes a student to the ninth grade under paragraph (b) of this subsection contains the following requirements:
1. The student, at a minimum, must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.5 on a 4.0 scale for coursework required for completion of the eighth grade.
2. The student must have demonstrated acceptable attendance and behavior standards, as determined by the State Board of Education.
3. The student must participate in a dropout prevention and mentoring program, developed in consultation with the Office of Dropout Prevention and school guidance personnel, during the student's first year in high school, as approved by the State Board of Education.
(2) Every student who seeks to pursue a career major must have the written permission of his or her parent or other legal guardian after consultation with the school guidance counselor or other school administrator resulting in a determination that participation in a career major curriculum and pursuit of a career diploma is appropriate and in the best interest of the student.
SECTION 6. Section 37-3-99, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-3-99. (1) The State Department of Education shall design curriculum choices * * * for a high school diploma for students who are interested in direct entry into the work force immediately following high school graduation. It is the intent of the Legislature that the curriculum for this program be rigorous, meeting the requirements based on research outlining the skills needed for entry into the work force. The program shall comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The department shall design the program for entering eighth graders. * * * Students who choose the career major program curriculum and successfully complete the necessary requirements established by the State Board of Education and the local public school board for each approved career major program curriculum will receive a career diploma.
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SECTION 7. 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.
(2) Each district school board, with the exception of those districts granted a waiver under subsection (2)(a) of Section 3 of this act, shall establish standards for graduation from its schools which shall include completion of academic, career and technical core course requirements established under Section 3 of this act.
(3) 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. A student who meets all requirements prescribed in subsection (2) of this section shall be awarded a career diploma in a form prescribed by the state board.
(4) The State Board of Education may establish student proficiency standards for promotion to grade levels leading to graduation.
SECTION 8. Section 37-13-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-13-9. The State Board of Education shall appoint a curriculum committee, composed of professional and lay members, not to exceed seven (7) in number, to make a continuous study of the curriculum of the public schools and to make recommendations to the State Board of Education from time to time as to changes which should be made in the curriculum in the grammar school grades and in the high school grades. The * * * members of the committee shall be appointed and serve for a term of two (2) years and until their successors are appointed. Each member of the committee shall receive a per diem of Forty Dollars ($40.00) for each day actually spent attending the meetings of the committee and, in addition, each member shall be reimbursed for mileage and actual travel expenses * * * in attending the meetings of the committee. * * * The per diem and travel expenses provided for in this section shall be paid out of such appropriation as may be made for that purpose by the Legislature.
SECTION 9. Section 37-13-58, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-13-58. (1) The State Department of Education shall be designated as the state agency responsible for the administration and supervision of the career education concept as an educational innovation in the State of Mississippi. It is the intent of the Legislature that all funds made available to the State of Mississippi, for the purpose of enhancing career education, be administered by the State Department of Education.
(2) Pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the State Department of Education shall establish an Office of Career Education within the framework of the State Department of Education for the purpose of developing standards, procedures and criteria for the administration and supervision of a statewide program of career education in Grades 1 through 12. The State Department of Education, through the Office of Career Education, shall assume the further responsibility for promoting a statewide effort designed to prepare local school faculties and staffs to incorporate the career education concept into their local educational programs.
SECTION 10. Section 37-13-59, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-13-59. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 37-13-58, the State Department of Education shall provide for the services of a State Coordinator of Career Education and any other professional and nonprofessional staff as may be needed and as funds available to the department will permit. It shall be the responsibility of the State Coordinator of Career Education to coordinate efforts of the personnel of the State Department of Education, the state's colleges and universities, local public schools and other appropriate agencies to provide the services embraced by Sections 37-13-58 through 37-13-60. The State Department of Education and the State Coordinator of Career Education shall be responsible for the development of teacher education courses, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels, designed to familiarize teachers and prospective teachers with the career education concept and its application to their roles as teachers and prospective teachers. The state community and junior colleges and four-year universities shall consult and cooperate with the State Department of Education and State Coordinator of Career Education in the development of these courses and in the responsibilities under Sections 37-13-58 through 37-13-60.
SECTION 11. Section 37-13-60, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-13-60. In addition to all other authority, duties and powers the governing boards of the several school districts of this state may now have, each school board, with the exception of the school board of any district granted a waiver under subsection (2)(a) of Section 3 of this act, shall adopt plans for and implement a career education program * * *. In so doing, the governing board shall operate within its regular budget, without the employment of additional personnel and out of any available funds, federal, state, local or private.
Nothing in Sections 37-13-58 through 37-13-60 shall be so construed as to prohibit the acceptance of contributions from the private business sector or cooperation therewith, including, but not limited to, seminars, tours, lectures and in-service training.
There shall be cooperation between the State Department of Education, the State Coordinator of Career Education, the governing boards of the several school districts and the state community and junior colleges and four-year universities in implementing this program as it best suits the needs of the individual districts.
* * * The Commission on School Accreditation shall encourage the development of plans of career education and the implementation thereof, and shall be authorized to accredit same.
SECTION 12. Section 37-21-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-21-9. The State Department of Education shall:
(a) Conduct a total needs assessment of the state to determine what areas currently lack pre-kindergarten programs and services, and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of establishing pre-kindergarten programs on a statewide basis. Any expected costs, whether federal, state or local, associated with implementing this requirement shall be clearly outlined; * * *
(b) Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of implementing mandatory kindergarten on a statewide basis. Any expected costs, whether federal, state or local, associated with implementing this requirement shall be clearly outlined; and
* * *
(c) Report annually to the Mississippi Legislature on the graduation and dropout rates based on Grades 7 through 12 and Grades 9 through 12 cohort groups, statewide and by district.
SECTION 13. Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall be codified in Chapter 13, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972.
SECTION 14. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.
