Bill Text: MS SB2718 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Civics portion of Naturalization Test; require passing score for high school graduates and GED applicants.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2016-02-23 - Died In Committee [SB2718 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-SB2718-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Senator(s) Tollison
Senate Bill 2718
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES OR GED APPLICANTS TO PASS AT LEAST 60% OF THE CIVICS PORTION OF THE NATURALIZATION TEST USED BY THE IMMIGRATION SERVICES; 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.
(b) Completion of a minimum number of academic credits, and all other applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board.
(c) Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, the academic standards for social studies shall include a requirement that, in order to graduate from high school or obtain a general equivalency diploma, a pupil must correctly answer at least sixty (60) of the one hundred (100) questions listed on a test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The local school board may determine the method and manner in which to administer a test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. A pupil who does not obtain a passing score on the test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test may retake the test until the pupil obtains a passing score.
( * * *d) 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, 2016.
