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Bill > HB98
MS HB98
MS HB98Statewide testing program; require tests to be translated and printed in primary spoken language of ELL students.
summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Amend Sections 37-16-3 And 37-16-9, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Are Provisions Of The Statewide Testing Program, To Require The Uniform Basic Skills Tests To Be Administered In The Primary Spoken Language Of Students Identified As English Language Learners; To Require The State Department Of Education To Translate And Print The Assessments In The Appropriate Language For The Appropriate Grade Levels; To Require The Department To Provide School Districts In Need With Testing Observers Or Proctors Capable Of Providing Translation Assistance To Students Identified As English Language Learners; To Require School Districts To Request The Need For Translation Assistance Within A Reasonable Period Before The Administration Of Applicable Assessments; To Require School Districts To Report To The Department The Number Of, Grades Of And Primary Spoken Languages Of All English Language Learners Enrolled In Its Schools; To Bring Forward Section 37-16-5, Mississippi Code Of 1972, For Purposes Of Possible Amendment; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that statewide basic skills tests in Mississippi be translated and printed in the primary spoken language of English Language Learners (ELL) students, except for English language arts tests which must remain in English. The State Department of Education will be responsible for this translation and for providing school districts with testing observers or proctors who can offer translation assistance to ELL students. School districts must inform the department of their need for such assistance and report the number, grades, and primary languages of their ELL students. The bill also requires the State Department of Education to report on the participation and performance of ELL students in assessments, similar to how data is reported for students whose primary language is English, with specific timelines for these reports and data disaggregation. This initiative aims to ensure that ELL students are not disadvantaged in the testing process and that their academic achievement is accurately measured.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0098.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/0001-0099/HB0098IN.htm |
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