Bill Text: MS SB2194 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Third Grade "Reading Gate" Literacy-Based Promotion Act; delay retention requirement for 2 years.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Failed) 2015-02-03 - Died In Committee [SB2194 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-SB2194-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Senator(s) Wilemon
Senate Bill 2194
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-177-9, 37-177-13 AND 37-177-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELAY THE THIRD GRADE "READING GATE" LITERACY-BASED PROMOTION ACT RETENTION REQUIREMENT FOR 2 YEARS; 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. 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.
Beginning in the * * * 2016-2017 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.
SECTION 2. Section 37-177-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-177-13. Beginning in the * * * 2016-2017 school year,
each school district shall take the following actions for retained Third Grade
students:
(a) Provide Third Grade students who are not promoted with intensive instructional services, progress monitoring measures, and supports to remediate the identified areas of reading deficiency, including a minimum of ninety (90) minutes during regular school hours of daily, scientifically research-based reading instruction that includes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, and other strategies prescribed by the school district, which may include, but are not limited to:
(i) Small group instruction;
(ii) Reduced teacher-student ratios;
(iii) Tutoring in scientifically research-based reading services in addition to the regular school day;
(iv) The option of transition classes;
(v) Extended school day, week or year; and
(vi) Summer reading camps.
(b) Provide written notification to the parent or legal guardian of any Third Grade student who is retained that the student has not met the proficiency level required for promotion and the reasons the student is not eligible for a good cause exemption. The notification must include a description of proposed interventions and supports that will be provided to the child to remediate the identified areas of reading deficiency. This notification must be provided to the parent or legal guardian in writing, in a format adopted by the State Board of Education in addition to report cards given by the teacher.
(c) Provide Third Grade students who are retained with a high-performing teacher, as determined by student performance data, particularly related to student growth in reading, above-satisfactory performance appraisals, and/or specific training relevant to implementation of this chapter.
(d) Provide parents and legal guardians of Third Grade students with a "Read at Home" plan outlined in a parental contract, including participation in regular parent-guided home reading.
SECTION 3. Section 37-177-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-177-19. (1) The State Board of Education shall adopt such policies, rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of this chapter.
(2) The State Department of Education shall provide such technical assistance and training of teachers/administrators as may be needed to aid local school districts in administering the provisions of this chapter.
(3) Each local school
district must include provisions required by this chapter as an addition to the
district's published handbook of policy for employees and students beginning in
school year * * *
2015-2016.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.
