Mississippi Senate Bill SB2886

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

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

Caption

Public school option; allow parent of a student to enroll student in school with certified academic language therapist.

Impact

The bill enhances educational choices for parents and guardians, allowing them to select schools that best meet the specific needs of their children. It establishes a legal framework for transferring students to accessible educational programs in nearby districts, potentially improving their access to effective dyslexia therapy. Additionally, it mandates that school districts accept these students and report them for funding purposes under the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, thereby making financial provisions for their education.

Summary

Senate Bill 2886 aims to amend Section 37-173-9 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to provide parents or legal guardians the option to enroll their children diagnosed with dyslexia into public schools in adjacent districts. These schools must have available space and offer a program that provides daily dyslexia therapy sessions delivered by certified academic language therapists. This legislation reflects a growing recognition of the need for specialized educational support for students with dyslexia.

Contention

While the bill aims to improve educational accessibility for dyslexic students, it may also generate contention regarding resource allocation between districts. Some critics may argue that this could place a strain on the receiving schools, particularly if significant numbers of students transfer in search of specialized services. The reliance on parents to transport their children to nearby districts could also raise questions about equity, as not all families may have the same access to transportation resources.