College and Career Readiness Planning Program; create for administration of pre-ACT assessments in public schools.
Impact
The enactment of HB250 is projected to significantly impact the educational landscape in Mississippi. It requires eighth-grade students to take the EXPLORE assessment and tenth-grade students to take either the PLAN or PSAT assessments. Such measures aim to provide early feedback on student performance, which will inform school guidance counselors and teachers in assisting students with their academic choices and career readiness skills. Furthermore, the initiative seeks to establish state-level data collection to monitor the effectiveness of the program and improve instruction and school improvement plans.
Summary
House Bill 250 aims to create the College and Career Readiness Planning Program focused on enhancing the preparedness of high school students for postsecondary education. The bill mandates public schools to administer specific assessments, such as pre-ACT and PSAT, to evaluate and support the readiness of students for college and careers. This program is intended to lower educational costs, reduce the time students spend completing degrees, and ultimately increase overall success rates by minimizing the necessity for remedial coursework.
Contention
While the bill has garnered support for its potential to enhance educational outcomes, debates may arise regarding the funding and implementation of the program, as well as concerns over the adequacy of resources for administering these assessments. Critics may question whether the state funding will sufficiently cover the costs involved and if all public schools will be able to effectively integrate the assessments into their existing curricula. The broader implications of relying on standardized testing methods to gauge readiness can also lead to discussions about educational equity and the pressures placed on students.
Prohibits healthcare entities from interfering with a patient's right to choose to obtain a clinician-administered drug from their provider or pharmacy of choice.