Bill Text: MS HB484 | 2015 | Regular Session | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Reading screening assessment; require MS Reading Panel to make one screener available for required use in Grades K-3.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2015-03-03 - Died In Committee [HB484 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2015-HB484-Engrossed.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Representative Moore

House Bill 484

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-177-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ONE SCREENING ASSESSMENT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ALL SCHOOLS FOR REQUIRED USE IN GRADES K-3 AS A COMPONENT OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT'S READING INTERVENTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY READING DEFICIENCIES AND DETERMINE PROGRESS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-177-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-177-5.  The State Department of Education shall establish a Mississippi Reading Panel to collaborate with the State Department of Education in recommending appropriate equitable alternative standardized assessments and cut scores to be used to determine promotion to the Fourth Grade of those Third Grade students who scored at the lowest achievement level on the state annual accountability assessment or who, for unforeseen circumstances, were unable to take the assessment.  The panel should have knowledge and input in the adoption or development of a universal screener for required use only in select schools most in need for the reading intervention program to identify reading deficiencies and determine progress. * * * A suggestive list of no less than four (4) screening assessments should be available to schools not selected for the critical reading intervention program taking into consideration those screening assessments already being used satisfactorily in Mississippi elementary schools. One (1) screening assessment should be available to all schools for required use in Grades K-3.  An approved alternative standardized reading assessment may be used in 2014-2015 in the transition to common core standardization of testing.  The panel shall consist of six (6) members as follows:  the State Superintendent of Public Education, or his/her designee, who will chair the committee; the Chair of the House Education Committee, or his designee; the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, or his designee; one (1) member appointed by the Governor; and two (2) additional members appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Education.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.

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