Mississippi Senate Bill SB2702

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

"Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act;" revise definition of "eligible student" and "eligible school."

Impact

The modification to the definition of 'eligible student' will broaden the scope of students who can participate in the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program. Specifically, the inclusion of students diagnosed with dyslexia allows these individuals to receive educational benefits without being tied to the aforementioned scholarship program. Furthermore, by changing the definition, eligible schools can be recognized as those that provide services addressing the educational needs of these students, which can lead to better educational outcomes for those affected by dyslexia.

Summary

Senate Bill 2702 aims to amend Section 37-181-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, which pertains to the definitions within the 'Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act'. The core change facilitated by this bill is to revise the definitions for 'eligible student' and 'eligible school' to include students diagnosed with dyslexia who do not receive assistance from the Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship Program. This change allows more students with special needs to access resources tailored to their educational requirements.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SB2702 may include concerns regarding the adequacy of support and resources available to schools serving students with dyslexia. Some advocates for special education may argue that while increasing the number of eligible students is beneficial, it should be accompanied by appropriate funding and training for educational service providers to ensure that these students receive effective support. Opposing viewpoints might also express concern about potential resource allocation that could shift funding from public schools to nonpublic schools, prompting debates about equity and access in education.