Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 7 - Education K-12 › Part 191 - Mississippi Early Learning Guidelines for Classrooms Serving Three-and Four-Year-Old Children

Current through June 25, 2024
Rule Suspensions Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. §§
								33-15-31,
			 33-15-11(b)(9)
			 and
			 33-15-11(c)(1)
			 Executive Orders 1460 and 1476 School Years 2019 - 2020 and 2020 - 2021 Related
			 to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Statutes and/or Regulation(s)
Rule
Proposed Suspension and/or Revisions of
						  Rules
Mississippi Statewide Accountability
						  System
20
						  USC §
													6311(b) (§
						  1111(b) of the ESEA)
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-17-6(5)
Accreditation Policy 3.0
Accreditation Policy 3.0 - Annual Performance
						  Classification:
Districts and Schools are Assigned Annual Performance
						  Classifications based on the Business Rules of the Mississippi Statewide
						  Accountability System.
School Improvement:
* Comprehensive Support and Improvement Schools
						  (CSI)
* Targeted Support and Improvement Schools (TSI)
* Additional Targeted Support and Improvement Schools
						  (ATSI)
On March 19, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education granted approval for districts and
						  schools to maintain the same accountability designation in the 2020 - 2021
						  school year as assigned in the 2019 - 2020 school year with no cumulative
						  impact for cases where multiple years with the same designation may lead to a
						  more severe consequence.
Schools and districts will retain the same designations
						  for CSI, TSI, and ATSI from the 2018 - 2019 school year. The three-year average
						  performance used in identification will exclude the 2019 - 2020 school
						  year.
On March 20, 2020 the MDE submitted an expedited waiver
						  to the United States Department of Education (ED) to waive certain requirements
						  in Section 1111 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(
						  20
						  U.S.C §
													6311(b) )
						  related to assessment and accountability requirements. On March 27, 2020, the
						  MDE received official approval from ED.
ED has not issued a waiver of accountability
						  requirements for the 2020 - 2021 school year. All accountability data
						  collection and reporting will be required for the 2020 - 2021 school year to
						  meet all state and federal requirements.
Local Board Governance
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-7-306
						  Process Standards 1 and 1.3
Process Standards 1 and 1.3:
The local school board and the superintendent of
						  schools shall exercise due diligence in performing the respective duties in
						  accordance with applicable law.
Every school board member selected after July 1, 2002,
						  shall spend at least one (1) full day in a school in the district they
						  represent, without compensation.
Upon request from the Mississippi School Boards
						  Association, the MDE requests a one-year suspension requiring local school
						  board members to visit each school within the district as a body during the
						  2019 - 2020 and 2020 - 2021 school years as a result of the impact of
						  COVID-19.
Licensed Certified Staff
ESEA
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-9-7
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 80.1 and 80.2, State Board
						  Policy Chapter 80, Rules 80.1 and 80.2
Process Standards 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5
Process Standard 2:
All district professional positions requiring licensed
						  staff are to be filled by staff that are properly licensed and endorsed in
						  accordance with state and federal law.
On March 26, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education issued a one-year suspension of the
						  requirement for districts to respond to notifications of noncompliance for
						  licensed staff during school closures as a result of COVID-19 for the 2019 -
						  2020 school year.
The MDE requests an additional one-year suspension
						  requiring districts to respond to accreditation personnel edits based on data
						  submitted in MSIS to the MDE for the 2020 - 2021 school year.
To ensure districts are aware of their continued
						  responsibilities MDE will provide additional guidance to districts regarding
						  the approval and parameters of any waivers and suspensions approved by the SBE
						  for the 2020 - 2021 school year. In accordance with Accreditation Policy 2.1,
						  the district superintendent and school principals shall ensure that all data
						  reported to the MDE are true and accurate as verified by supporting
						  documentation on file in the school district.
Personnel Appraisal System
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-3-46(b)
						  and §
												37-7-301
Process Standards 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, and
						  3.7
Process Standard 3:
The school district implements an annual, formal
						  personnel appraisal system for licensed staff that includes assessment of
						  employee on-the-job performance.
On March 26, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended the requirement for districts
						  to submit annual employee performance data for the 2019 - 2020 school year via
						  Share Point; however, districts were provided the option to submit available
						  Professional Growth System (PGS) data to MDE for the 2019 - 2020 school
						  year.
The suspension removed sanctions for districts failing
						  to adhere to the reporting guidelines of the Educator and Administrator
						  Professional Appraisal System for the 2019 - 2020 school year.
Districts were not required to attend the MDE-approved
						  PGS training for the 2019 - 2020 school year.
It is recommended that districts attend future PGS
						  training in preparation for the upcoming school years in which Process Standard
						  3 is reinstated.
Annual Financial Audit
2 C.F.R. Part 200
Miss. Code Ann. §
												7-7-211(e)
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 10.1, State Board Policy Chapter
						  10, Rule 10.1
Process Standard 4
Process Standard 4:
Local school boards are required to obtain an annual
						  financial audit of the school district, as conducted under the guidelines of
						  the Office of the State Auditor, no later than nine (9) months after the end of
						  the district's fiscal year (March 31).
On March 26, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended the requirement for school
						  boards to obtain an annual financial audit, as conducted under the guidelines
						  of the Office of the State Auditor, no later than nine (9) months after the end
						  of the district's fiscal year (March 31).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
						  authorized recipients and subrecipients with fiscal year-ends through June 30,
						  2020, to delay the completion and submission of the Single Audit reporting
						  package, to six (6) months beyond the normal due date.
In consultation with the Office of the State Auditor,
						  the MDE temporarily suspended the deadline set in Process Standard 4 and
						  extended the deadline by six (6) months to reflect the OMB's extension
						  (September 30, 2020) for the Fiscal Year 2019 audits.
The Office of the State Auditor has not issued
						  the deadline to school districts for submission of the Fiscal Year 2020 audits.
						  Fiscal Year 2020 audits are due no later than nine (9) months after the end of
						  the district's fiscal year (March 31, 2021) unless the Office of the State
						  Auditor grants an additional extension based upon OMB's guidance.
Compulsory School Attendance
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-13-91
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 30.1 and 30.2, State Board
						  Policy Chapter 30, Rules 30.1 and 30.2
Process Standard 10
Process Standard 10:
The school district implements procedures for
						  monitoring and reporting student absences as specified in the Mississippi
						  Compulsory Attendance Law.
On March 26, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended the requirement for districts
						  to monitor and submit student referrals for attendance violations, of
						  compulsory school-age students, after March 16, 2020, the first date of school
						  closures due to COVID-19, through the end of the 2019 - 2020 school
						  year.
Actions taken for petitions filed in accordance with
						  Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-13-91(7)
						  and scheduled court dates prior to March 16, 2020, the first date of school
						  closures due to COVID-19, through the 2019 - 2020 school year, fall under the
						  jurisdiction of the courts and the MDE will continue to adhere to the courts'
						  rules.
180 Day School Calendar
Miss. Code Ann. §§
												37-151-7(3)(c),
						  37-3-49,
						  37-13-61
						  through 69, and 37-15-15(j)
Process Standard 13
Process Standard 13:
The academic year provides a minimum of 180 teaching
						  days in which both teachers and pupils are in regular attendance for scheduled
						  classroom instruction.
On March 19, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the SBE suspended the requirement mandating each school district to
						  submit a request to alter the school calendar and request forgiveness by the
						  SBE for all days missed as a result of the impact of COVID-19 in the state of
						  Mississippi. The SBE also approved altered school terms for school districts to
						  operate for less than one hundred eighty (180) days for the 2019 - 2020 school
						  year.
For the 2020 - 2021 school year, districts will have
						  three (3) options for school opening (or any combination thereof) to meet the
						  one hundred eighty (180) teaching day requirement:
1) Traditional Schedule
2) Hybrid Schedule
3) Virtual Schedule
A traditional schedule requires students to be
						  physically present in school with scheduling modifications to follow
						  Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) and Centers for Disease Control
						  (CDC) recommendations.
A hybrid schedule combines online and face-to-face
						  instruction for students. Schools must meet distance learning
						  requirements.
A virtual schedule provides instruction through
						  distance learning.
Guidance regarding how districts shall record
						  attendance based on the scheduling options outlined above is
						  forthcoming.
330 Minutes of Instruction Per Day
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-13-67
Process Standard 13.1
Process Standard 13.1:
The teaching day must provide 330 minutes of
						  instruction per day.
On March 26, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended the requirement for 330 minutes
						  of instruction per day from March 16, 2020, the first date of school closures
						  due to COVID-19 through the end of the 2019 - 2020 school year.
The MDE requests an additional one-year suspension for
						  the 2020 - 2021 school year of Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-13-67
						  which states, "the number of hours of actual teaching which shall constitute a
						  school day shall be determined and fixed by the Board of Trustees of the school
						  district at not less than five and one-half (51/2) hours. This suspension will
						  allow districts flexibility within their re-entry plans/scheduling options in
						  an effort to comply with the MSDH and the CDC guidelines as a result of the
						  ongoing impact of COVID-19 during the 2020 - 2021 school year. With this
						  suspension of the 330 minutes of instruction per day, districts shall meet a
						  minimum of 240 minutes (4 hours) of instructional time per day.
Instructional time for Carnegie unit
						  credit
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-16-7
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 36.1-36.4, State Board Policy
						  Chapter 36, Rules 36.1-36.4
Process Standards 13.2 and 14
Process Standard 13.2:
Districts must ensure that during the academic school
						  year a minimum of 140 hours of instruction is provided for each
Carnegie unit of credit offered and 70 hours for each
						  one-half (1/2) unit offered.
On March 26, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended the requirement of the minimum
						  of 140 hours of instruction required for each Carnegie unit of credit offered
						  and 70 hours for each one-half (1/2) unit offered for the 2019 - 2020 school
						  year. School districts were required to determine a process for awarding a
						  Carnegie unit credit for courses that were incomplete for school year 2019 -
						  2020. Carnegie units were not to be granted for courses where the student was
						  never enrolled during the 2019 - 2020 school year. Districts were not allowed
						  to enroll a student in a Carnegie unit bearing course after March 16, 2020, the
						  first date of school closures due to COVID-19, for the 2019 - 2020 school year
						  for the sole purpose of awarding a Carnegie unit credit, unless one (1) of the
						  following conditions were met:
1) the district was on a 4 x 4 block schedule and the
						  student was taking a one-half (1/2) credit course, or
2) the student was enrolling in an approved online
						  course through Mississippi Online Course Approval (MOCA) with the expectation
						  that the student would complete the course by the end of the Spring 2020
						  semester.
The conditions outlined above were not applicable to
						  transfer students enrolling in a school district on or after March 16, 2020 for
						  the 2019 - 2020 school year.
Students transferring from a public school (instate or
						  out-of-state) or a nonpublic school accredited by the MDE or other regionally
						  accrediting agency to be determined by the local school district was eligible
						  to enroll in a Carnegie unit bearing course after March 16, 2020, the first
						  date of school closures due to COVID-19, for the 2019 - 2020 school year, if
						  the student was previously enrolled in the course in his/her transferring
						  school.
Based on approved school board policy, local school
						  districts had the authority to issue a standard high school diploma to any
						  student who met the minimum graduation requirements as approved by the State
						  Board of Education during the 2019 - 2020 school year. See Appendix A in
Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards,
						  2019.
The MDE requests an additional one-year suspension of
						  the minimum of 140 hours of instruction required for each Carnegie unit of
						  credit offered and 70 hours for each one-half (1/2) unit offered for the 2020 -
						  2021 school year. This suspension will allow districts flexibility within their
						  re-entry plans/scheduling options in an effort to comply with MSDH and CDC
						  guidelines as a result of the ongoing impact of COVID-19 during the 2020 - 2021
						  school year.
Each district shall be required to develop a plan to
						  ensure the mastery of content for each Carnegie unit awarded in lieu of meeting
						  the 140-hour requirement for one (1) Carnegie unit awarded and 70 hours for
						  each one-half (1/2) unit awarded. The plan shall be approved by the local
						  school board and posted on the district's website no later than September 30,
						  2020.
Graduation Requirements
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-17-6
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 34.1 and 36.1 - 36.4, State
						  Board Policies
Chapter 34, Rule 34.1 and Chapter 36, Rules 36.1 -
						  36.4
Process Standards 14, 14.1, and 14.2
Process Standard 14.1:
Each student receiving a standard high school diploma
						  has earned the minimum number of Carnegie units as specified in Appendix
						  A.
On March 19, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended citations associated with
						  changing local school board graduation requirements mid-year for the 2019 -
						  2020 school year due to the impact of school closures related to COVID-19. The
						  local school board
had the authority to suspend and/or amend the
						  graduation requirements set forth by the local school board for the 2019 - 2020
						  school year. Students were not allowed to graduate with less than the minimum
						  number of Carnegie units set forth by the State Board of Education and outlined
						  in Appendix A.
The student was required to meet both the minimum
						  number of Carnegie unit requirements and the required courses as outlined in
						  Appendix A.
Local districts may establish additional local
						  requirements approved by the local school board as authorized under Miss. Code
						  Ann. §
												37-16-7.
						  Local districts have the option of granting high school diplomas as outlined in
						  Appendices A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4. The waivers granted by the State Board of
						  Education for the 2019 - 2020 school year allowed districts to amend or
						  establish local board policy to waive additional requirements above the state
						  minimum and allow students to graduate using the minimum requirements outlined
						  in Appendices A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4.
The local school board shall establish graduation
						  requirements for the 2020 - 2021 school year prior to the first day of school.
						  Such requirements shall meet the minimum number of Carnegie units set forth by
						  the SBE and outlined in Appendix A. The local school board lacks the authority
						  to suspend and/or amend the local district's graduation requirements for school
						  year 2020 - 2021 mid-year unless the SBE grants authority.
Process Standard 14.2:
Each student receiving a standard diploma has met
						  assessment requirements on each of the required high school end-of-course (EOC)
						  subject area tests or met one (1) of the options in lieu of passing the test as
						  outlined in Appendix A-5.
1. Any student grades 7 through 12 that was enrolled in
						  Algebra I, Biology, English II and/or U. S. History during the 2019 - 2020
						  school year and earned the Carnegie Unit credit will not be required to take
						  and/or pass the corresponding EOC subject area test(s) or meet one (1) of the
						  options in lieu of passing the test(s) in order to meet the graduation
						  requirements regardless of their expected graduation date/year.
The student must have earned the Carnegie unit credit
						  for the course prior to the end of the 2019 - 2020 school year. If the Carnegie
						  unit for the course was not earned by the end of the Spring 2020 semester or
						  prior to the summer MSIS data submission deadline through credit recovery,
						  extended school year, and/or summer school, etc., this rule suspension does not
						  apply.
2. Any student grades 7 through 12 enrolled in school
						  during the 2019 - 2020 school year as of March 16, 2020, the first date of
						  school closures due to COVID-19, that has passed the Algebra I, Biology,
						  English II, and/or U.S. History course(s), but has not passed the corresponding
						  EOC subject area test(s) or met one (1) of the options in lieu of passing the
						  test(s), will be allowed to graduate, if all other state and local graduation
						  requirements have been met regardless of their expected graduation date/year.
						  These students are typically referred to as "retesters".
3. Any student in grades 7 through 12 who took a Fall
						  2019 EOC assessment as a first-time test taker (4 x 4 districts) and failed the
						  corresponding EOC assessment will not be required to re-take the corresponding
						  EOC assessment or meet one (1) of the options in lieu of passing the test(s),
						  in any future school year to meet graduation requirements regardless of their
						  expected graduation date/year.
4. Any student enrolled in Algebra I, Biology, English
						  II, or U.S. History in the 2019 - 2020 school year who failed the course in the
						  2019 - 2020 school year and must repeat the course in the 2020 - 2021 school
						  year (or thereafter) to earn the Carnegie Unit credit will be required to pass
						  the corresponding EOC assessment or meet one (1) of the options in lieu of
						  passing the assessment as outlined in Appendix A-5.
5. Any student enrolled in school in the 2019 - 2020
						  school year who earned a Carnegie Unit credit in Algebra I, Biology, English II
						  or U.S. History in a school year prior to 2019 - 2020, but took the test as a
						  first time test taker in the Fall 2019 or was planning to take the assessment
						  as a first-time test taker in Spring 2020 will not be required to take and/or
						  pass the EOC assessment or meet one (1) of the options in lieu of passing the
						  assessment when school reconvenes regardless of their expected graduation
						  date/year.
6. The composite score option outlined in Appendix A-5
						  will not be available to students who do not have four (4) EOC subject area
						  test scores.
7. Students who were not enrolled in the 2019 - 2020
						  school year, but are still attempting to meet the graduation requirements
						  through re-test opportunities will be required to pass the EOC assessment or
						  meet one (1) of the options in lieu of passing the assessment as outlined in
						  Appendix A-5.
"Enrolled" refers to students enrolled in a public
						  school (in-state or out-of-state) or a nonpublic school accredited by the MDE
						  or other regionally accrediting agency to be determined by the local school
						  district. Students transferring from a public school (in-state or out-of-state)
						  or a nonpublic school accredited by the MDE or other regionally accrediting
						  agency to be determined by the local school district was eligible to enroll in
						  a subject area tested course unit bearing course after March 16, 2020, the
						  first date of school closures due to COVID-19, through the 2019 - 2020 school
						  year, if the student was previously enrolled in the course in his/her
						  transferring school.
On March 20, 2020 the MDE submitted an expedited waiver
						  to the United States Department of Education (ED) to waive certain requirements
						  in Section 1111 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(
						  20
						  U.S.C §
													6311(b) )
						  related to assessment and accountability requirements. On March 27,
2020, the MDE received official approval from ED. The
						  wavier related to federal and state assessments applied only to the 2019 - 2020
						  school year.
ED has not issued a waiver of assessment
						  requirements for the 2020 - 2021 school year. Any student grades 7 through 12
						  enrolled in Algebra I, Biology, English II and/or U. S. History during the 2020
						  - 2021 school year will be required to take and pass the corresponding EOC
						  subject area test(s) or meet one (1) of the options in lieu of passing the
						  test(s) in order to meet the graduation requirements regardless of their
						  expected graduation date/year.
Mississippi Statewide Assessment
						  System
20
						  USC §
													6311(6)§
												111(b)
						  of the ESEA
Miss. Code Ann. §§
												37-16-1
						  through 4 and §
												37-16-9
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: Ch. 34, Miss. Admin. Code 7-3:
						  74.20,
State Board Policy Chapter 74, Rule 74.20
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 78.1 and 78.7, State Board
						  Policy Chapter 78, Rules 78.1 and 78.7
Process Standard 16 and Appendix F
Process Standard 16:
The school district adheres to all requirements of the
						  Mississippi Statewide Assessment System.
On March 19, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education granted approval to suspend all federal
						  and state requirements of the Mississippi Statewide Assessment System for the
						  2019 - 2020 school year:
* Pre-K and Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
						  (post-test);
* Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) and
						  MAAP-Alternate (MAAP-A) English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science - Grades
						  3 - 8 and High School End-of-Course;
* U.S. History;
* Statewide sponsored administration of the ACT for
						  11th graders;
* English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT); and
* Career Planning and Assessment System (CPAS).
On March 20, 2020 the MDE submitted an expedited waiver
						  to the United States Department of Education (ED) to waive certain requirements
						  in Section 1111 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(
						  20
						  U.S.C §
													6311(b) )
						  related to assessment and accountability requirements. On March 27, 2020 the
						  MDE received official approval from ED. The wavier related to federal and state
						  assessments applied only to the 2019 - 2020 school year.
ED has not issued a waiver of assessment
						  requirements for the 2020 - 2021 school year. All state and federal assessments
						  will be administered during the 2020 - 2021 school year.
Pre-K Programs
Miss. Code Ann. §§ 37-3-301(ss) and
						  37-3-301(zz)
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 28.4, State Board Policy Chapter
						  28, Rule 28.4
Process Standard 17.2
Mississippi Early Learning Guidelines for Classrooms
						  Serving Three- and Four-Year-Old Children
Process Standard 17.2:
Early Childhood Programs (kindergarten and teacher
						  assistant) [Districts Meeting the Highest Levels of Performance are exempted
						  from provisions of subsection (4) of Miss. Code §
												37-21-7.]
Due to the impact of school closures related to
						  COVID-19 and the impact on professional development opportunities, on April 16,
						  2020, during its regularly scheduled meeting, the State Board of Education
						  suspended the required pre-kindergarten teacher assistant requirements by one
						  (1) school year, such that requirements are as outlined below:
By August 1, 2021, 50% of regular education
						  pre-kindergarten teachers, special education pre-kindergarten teachers, and
						  assistant teachers in each district will meet the requirements described in the
						  Early Learning Guidelines for Classrooms Serving Three- and Four-Year-Old
						  Children.
By August 1, 2023, 100% of regular education
						  pre-kindergarten teachers, special education pre-kindergarten teachers, and
						  assistant teachers in each district will meet the requirements described in the
						  Early Learning Guidelines for Classrooms Serving Three- and Four-Year-Old
						  Children.
The MDE requests an additional one-year extension of
						  the requirements for Early Childhood Programs:
By August 1, 2022, 50% of regular education
						  pre-kindergarten teachers, special education pre-kindergarten teachers, and
						  assistant teachers in each district will meet the requirements described in the
						  Early Learning Guidelines for Classrooms Serving Three- and Four-Year-Old
						  Children.
By August 1, 2024, 100% of regular education
						  pre-kindergarten teachers, special education pre-kindergarten teachers, and
						  assistant teachers in each district will meet the requirements described in the
						  Early Learning Guidelines for Classrooms Serving Three- and Four-Year-Old
						  Children.
Instructional Management System &
Literacy Based Promotion Act
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-177-1
						  through 21
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 41.1, State Board Policy Chapter
						  41, Rule 41.1
Process Standard 20.2
Process Standard 20.2:
The instructional management system includes a tiered
						  instructional model including academic interventions, behavior interventions,
						  and
Literacy Based Promotion Act
requirements.
On March 26, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education granted approval to suspend all
						  requirements of the Mississippi Statewide Assessment System for the 2019 - 2020
						  school year including the 3rd grade Reading
						  assessment as required by the
Literacy Based Promotion Act
						  (LBPA).
All students enrolled in Grade 3 in the 2019 - 2020
						  school year were to be promoted to Grade 4 for the 2020 - 2021 school year, if
						  the student met all other district requirements for promotion.
The dyslexia screener that was to be administered to
						  all students during the Spring of their kindergarten year was suspended for the
						  2019 - 2020 school year.
The screener shall be administered in the 2020 - 2021
						  school year as required.
There has been no waiver of assessment
						  requirements for the 2020 - 2021 school year. All students enrolled in Grade 3
						  during the 2020 - 2021 school year shall meet the requirements of the
						  LBPA.
Academic Promotion/ Progression/ Retention of
						  Students & Uniform Grading Policy
Miss. Code Ann. §§
												37-11-64
						  and 37-11-36
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 2.3, State Board Policy Chapter
						  2, Rule 2.3
Process Standards 21 and 21.1
Process Standard 21:
The district follows an established board policy that
						  defines criteria for the academic promotion/progression/retention of
						  students.
On March 26, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended citations associated with
						  changing local school board policies mid-year during the 2019 - 2020 school
						  year related to the academic promotion/progression/retention of students or the
						  district's uniform grading policies due to the impact of school closures
						  related to COVID-19.
The local school board shall establish criteria for the
						  academic promotion/progression/ retention of students for the 2020 - 2021
						  school year prior to the first day of school. The local school board lacks the
						  authority to suspend
Process Standard 21.1:
The school district implements a uniform grading
						  policy.
and/or amend the local district's criteria for academic
						  promotion/progression/ retention of students for school year 2020 - 2021
						  mid-year unless the SBE grants authority.
The local school board has the authority to amend the
						  local school board policy for the promotion/progression/retention of students
						  (Process Standard 21) and uniform grading policies (Process Standard 21.1) for
						  the 2019 - 2020 school year. The amendment(s) shall be applied equitably to all
						  students.
The local school board shall establish uniform grading
						  policies for the 2020 - 2021 school year prior to the first day of school. The
						  local school board lacks the authority to suspend and/or amend the local
						  district's grading policies for school year 2020 - 2021 mid-year unless the SBE
						  grants authority.
Student Teacher Ratios
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-151-77
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 19.1, State Board Policy Chapter
						  19, Rule 19.1
Process Standards 28.1 28.2, 28.3, 28.4, and
						  28.5
Mississippi Kindergarten Guidelines
Process Standard 28:
Student Teacher Ratios do not exceed the
following:
*
Process Standard 28.1
Student teacher ratios do not exceed 22 to 1 in
						  kindergarten, except in instances in which a fulltime assistant teacher is in
						  the classroom. If a full-time assistant teacher is employed, 27 may be
						  enrolled.
*
Process Standard 28.2
Student teacher
						  ratios do not exceed 27 to 1 in classrooms serving grades 1 through 4 unless
						  approved by the State Board of Education.
*
Process Standard 28.3
Student teacher
						  ratios do not exceed 30 to 1 in self-contained classrooms serving grades 5
						  through 8. A one-year waiver may be requested for classes that do not exceed
						  more than two (2) students beyond the allowable student teacher ratio.
*
Process Standard 28.4
Student teacher
						  ratios do not exceed 33 to 1 in departmentalized academic core classes serving
						  grades 5 through 12. A one-year waiver may be requested for classes that do not
						  exceed more than two (2) students beyond the allowable student teacher
						  ratio.
*
Process Standard 28.5
The total number of students taught by an individual
						  teacher in academic core subjects at any time during the school year shall not
						  exceed 150. A teacher who provides instruction through intra-district or
						  inter-district distance learning or supervises students taking virtual courses
						  will be exempt from the 150-student limitation. A lab facilitator or principal
						  designee will be responsible for the assignment of grades and related
						  activities at the receiving school.
On March 26, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education issued a one-year suspension requiring
						  districts to request waivers to the State Board of Education or the Commission
						  on School Accreditation to comply with student-teacher ratios for Process
						  Standards 28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4, and 28.5 for the 2019 - 2020 school
						  year.
Requiring districts to respond to notifications of
						  noncompliance of student-teacher ratios during school closures due to the state
						  of emergency produced an undue burden on districts during the emergency
						  closures for the 2019 - 2020 school year.
The MDE requests an additional one-year suspension
						  requiring districts to request waivers to the SBE or the Commission on School
						  Accreditation to comply with student-teacher ratios for Process Standards 28.1,
						  28.2, 28.3, 28.4, and 28.5 for the 2020 - 2021 school year. This suspension
						  will allow districts flexibility within their re-entry plans/scheduling options
						  in an effort to comply with MSDH and CDC guidelines as a result of the ongoing
						  impact of COVID-19 during the 2020 - 2021 school year.
Pupil Transportation
Miss. Code Ann. §§
												37-41-53
						  and
						  63-3-615
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 81.3 and 81.4 State Board Policy
						  Chapter 81, Rules 81.3 and 81.4
Process Standards 29, 29.2, and 29.4
Mississippi Pupil Transportation Handbook
Process Standard 29:
The school district complies with the applicable
						  policies of the State Board of Education and state and federal laws in the
						  operation of its transportation program.
The MDE requests a one-year suspension of the State
						  Board of Education requirement for certified bus drivers to renew the two-year
						  MDE Bus Driver Certification Card. This one-year suspension is applicable to
						  all certified bus drivers with a valid MDE Bus Driver Certification Card with
						  an expiration date of July 31, 2020, or July 31, 2021.
The district shall ensure each certified bus driver has
						  a valid bus driver certificate and commercial driver's license (CDL) with "P"
						  and "S" endorsements on file in the district. The district shall also have on
						  file a yearly motor vehicle report on each driver and evidence that each driver
						  has received two (2) hours of in-service training per year.
Upon the approval of the one-year suspension of the
						  requirement to renew the two-year MDE Bus Driver Certification Card for
						  certified bus drivers, the required two (2) hours of in-service bus driver
						  training per semester provided by the district shall include bus driver safety
						  regulations regarding loading and unloading (at home and on campus) and
						  railroad crossings.
The two (2) required bus evacuation drills per year
						  shall be conducted for the 2020 - 2021 school year under the MSDH and the CDC
						  guidelines in place at the time the drills are conducted.
The district will not be cited for noncompliance, if
						  the bus evacuation drills are modified or the district is unable to conduct the
						  drills within the specified timelines in the Mississippi Pupil
Transportation Handbook as a result of the impact of
						  COVID-19.
All certifications for new (first-time) bus drivers
						  will be conducted in accordance with state statute, State Board Policy, and the
						  Mississippi Pupil Transportation Handbook and in accordance with all MSDH and
						  CDC guidelines in place at the time of the training/certification.
School Safety
Miss. Code Ann. §§
												37-3-81,
						  37-3-82,
						  37-3-83,
						  37-7-321,
						  and
						  37-11-5
Process Standard 31
Mississippi School Safety Manual, Mississippi
						  Department of Education (MDE) Occupational Safety and Crisis Response Planning,
						  Mississippi Community Oriented Policing Services in Schools (MCOPS) Grant
						  Requirements
Process Standard 31:
The school district complies with State Board Policies
						  and State and Federal laws to provide Safe Schools. Each school has a
						  comprehensive School Safety Plan on file that has been approved annually by the
						  local school board.
On April 16, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended the deadline of June 30, 2020
						  and extended the deadline for submission of the annual 40 required hours of
						  training for MCOPS grant recipients from June 30, 2020 until August 1, 2020 in
						  order to be compliant with MCOPS grant requirements.
The State Board of Education also suspended the
						  deadline of June 30, 2020 and extended the deadline for submission of the
						  annual 40 required hours of training until August 1, 2020 for school resource
						  officers (SROs) employed with school districts that created their own police
						  departments.
The MDE requests an additional extension of the August
						  1, 2020 deadline, granted on April
16, 2020, until December 31, 2020, for the submission
						  of the annual 40 hours of training for MCOPS grant recipients and SROs as a
						  result of the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on training opportunities.
The district shall conduct all required drills as
						  outlined in the Mississippi School Safety Manual for the 2020 - 2021 school
						  year, specifically, fire drills, tornado drills, and active shooter drills. All
						  drills shall be conducted under the MSDH and the CDC guidelines in place at the
						  time the drills are conducted.
The district will not be cited for noncompliance, if
						  the drills are modified or the district is unable to conduct the drills within
						  the timelines outlined in the Mississippi School Safety Manual as a result of
						  the impact of COVID-19.
Youth Detention Centers
Miss. Code Ann. § 42-21-321
Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 30.6, State Board Policy Chapter
						  30, Rule 30.6
Process Standards 32 and 32.1
Process Standard 32:
The school district complies with state statute and
						  State Board of Education policy for education of juveniles in youth detention
						  centers.
Process Standard 32.1:
Educational requirements of Miss. Code Ann. §
						  42-21-321 and Miss. Admin. Code 7-3: 30.6, State Board Policy Chapter 30, Rule
						  30.6
On March 26, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended citations associated with the
						  education of juveniles in youth detention centers due to the impact of school
						  closures related to COVID-19. The educational services provided to youth in
						  detention centers shall be commensurate to the services provided to their peers
						  in the sponsoring school district (i.e. online content or instructional
						  packets) after March 16, 2020, through the end of the 2019 - 2020 school
						  year.
The educational services provided to youth in detention
						  centers shall be commensurate to the services provided to their peers in the
						  sponsoring school district (i.e. online content or instructional packets) for
						  the 2020 - 2021 school year.
Early Learning Collaborative Act
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-21-51
Miss. Code Ann. §
													37-21-51(3)(c)(iv):
The department will evaluate the effectiveness of each
						  early childhood collaborative and each prekindergarten provider. If the State
						  Department of Education adopts a statewide kindergarten screening that assesses
						  the readiness of each student for kindergarten, the State Department of
						  Education shall adopt a minimum rate of readiness that each prekindergarten
						  provider must meet in order to remain eligible for prekindergarten program
						  funds.
Miss. Code Ann. §
													37-21-51(3)(d):
Prekindergarten program funds shall be awarded to early
						  childhood collaboratives whose proposed programs meet the program criteria. The
						  criteria shall include: (xiii) The number of instructional hours to be
						  provided, which shall equal no less than five hundred forty (540) instructional
						  hours per school year for half-day programs and one thousand eighty (1,080)
						  instructional hours per school year for full-day programs.
On April 16, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended the required Effectiveness
						  Evaluation Plan for the 2019-2020 school year due to the impact of school
						  closures related to COVID-19 and the cancellation of statewide assessments.
						  Grantees shall remain eligible for funding in the 2020 - 2021 school
						  year.
Due to the impact of school closures related to
						  COVID-19, the MDE will allow reimbursement for Early Learning Collaboratives at
						  the full-time and part-time rate for children in the program.
Grantees may continue to receive grant funds from March
						  16, 2020, the first date of school closures due to COVID-19, through the 2019 -
						  2020 school year.
The MDE requests an additional one-year suspension of
						  the instructional time requirement for Early Learning Collaboratives.
Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for
						  Students with Dyslexia Program
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-173-1
						  et seq.
Miss. Code Ann. §
													37-173-13(2)(b):
The Mississippi Department of Education will disburse
						  payments to nonpublic schools under this program in twelve (12) substantially
						  equal installments. The initial payment shall be made after department
						  verification of admission acceptance, and subsequent payments shall be made
						  upon verification of continued enrollment and attendance at the nonpublic
						  school.
Miss. Code Ann. §
													37-173-17(1)(d):
To be eligible to participate in the Mississippi
						  Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program, a nonpublic
						  school must:
(d) Maintain in this state a physical location where a
						  scholarship student regularly attends classes.
On April 16, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended the requirement for continued
						  attendance at a physical school location from March 16, 2020, the first date of
						  school closures due to COVID-19, through the 2019 - 2020 school year.
The MDE requests a one-year suspension of the
						  requirement for continued attendance at a physical school location for the 2020
						  - 2021 school year.
Mississippi Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship
						  for Students with Speech-Language Impairment Program (Nate Rogers Scholarship
						  for Students with Disabilities Program)
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-175-1
						  et seq.
Miss. Code Ann. §
													37-175-17(1)(d):
To be eligible to participate in the Mississippi
						  Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship for Students with Speech-Language
						  Impairment Program, a nonpublic school must:
(d) Maintain in this state a physical location where a
						  scholarship student regularly attends classes.
On April 16, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended the requirement for continued
						  attendance at a physical school location from March 16, 2020, the first date of
						  school closures due to COVID-19, through the 2019 - 2020 school year.
The MDE requests a one-year suspension of the
						  requirement for continued attendance at a physical school location for the 2020
						  - 2021 school year.
Cursive Writing
Miss. Code Ann. §
												37-13-10
Miss. Code Ann. §
													37-13-10:
The standard course of study shall include the
						  requirement that the public schools provide instruction in cursive reading and
						  writing, implemented across the curriculum, so that students create readable
						  documents through legible cursive handwriting by the end of the fifth grade,
						  and that students pass with proficiency a teacher-constructed test
						  demonstrating the students competency in both reading and writing
						  cursive.
On May 21, 2020, during its regularly scheduled
						  meeting, the State Board of Education suspended the requirement that students
						  pass with proficiency a teacher-constructed test demonstrating competency in
						  both reading and writing cursive, from March 16, 2020, the first date of school
						  closures due to COVID-19, through the date classes resume following the state
						  of emergency. This test shall be suspended for students who would have taken it
						  during the 2019 - 2020 school year based on district practice.
The MDE requests an additional one-year suspension of
						  the requirement that students pass with proficiency a teacher-constructed
						  testdemonstrating competency in both reading and writing cursive for the 2020 -
						  2021 school year.
Process standard numbers refer to the Process Standards outlined
			 in the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards, 2019. Any waivers
			 granted by the State Board of Education will also be granted as applicable to
			 nonpublic schools accredited by the Mississippi Department of
			 Education.