Bill > HB993

This bill requires the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education to jointly apply to the U.S. Department of Education for a waiver from federal requirements for annual statewide assessments in reading/language arts and mathematics for students in Grades 3 through 8, as mandated by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The waiver request, due by March 1, 2026, unless extended by the Board, must detail which assessments are being waived, how this will improve student achievement, especially for underserved groups, and include a plan for monitoring the waiver's effectiveness with alternative indicators, while ensuring all student populations continue to be served and that parents and the public receive transparent reporting on student performance. Before submission, the State Department of Education must solicit and respond to public comments from stakeholders, including school districts (LEAs), parents, and teachers, and will annually report to the Board and the Legislature on the waiver's status, impact, and any necessary adjustments to instructional or accountability practices, while ensuring all other federal and state requirements are still met.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0993.xml