IHF (May 2009)

Rescinds IHF July 9, 2002

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

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.         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.
 

 3.                  The State Board of Education may establish student proficiency standards for promotion to grade levels leading to graduation. 
                ' 37-16-7 (1999)

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The State Department of Education shall establish goals for the performance of children with disabilities that will promote the purpose of IDEA and are consistent, to the maximum extent appropriate, with other goals and standards for children established by the State Department of Education.  Performance indicators used to assess progress toward achieving those goals that, at a minimum, address the performance of children with disabilities on assessments, drop-out rates, and graduation rates shall be developed.  Every two (2) years, the progress toward meeting the established performance goals shall be reported to the public.  Senate Bill 2506 (1999 Legislative Session) and  ' 37-21-1 (1999) 

For information on the awarding of a special diploma or an occupational diploma, please refer to MS Code ' 37-16-11.

NOTES:

1.                  Please refer to Appendix A of the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards  for a complete listing of course requirements for graduating seniors.

2.                  According to a 1998 Attorney General Opinion, automatic fail provision of an absences policy may not apply against legal, excused absences.  Such absences policies may not be applied against absences resulting from disciplinary suspensions if absences policies are applied to truant children who are otherwise passing, the district must afford the child procedural due process.  (Attorney General Opinion, Carter, 1-9-98) (#183) (97-0817)