School attendance; require for children unable to score a 21 or higher on ACT until the child reaches 18 years of age.
Impact
The bill modifies Mississippi's compulsory school attendance laws, specifically Section 37-13-91, mandating that children who do not meet the designated ACT score must continue their education. The implications of this legislation may lead to increased school attendance rates and encourage students to focus on their education, should they wish to maintain the choice to drop out. It solidifies the state's role in monitoring student performance through mandated testing before allowing them to exit the school system.
Summary
House Bill 270 aims to regulate the dropout process for children under the age of eighteen by requiring them to take the American College Testing (ACT) assessment before officially dropping out of school. If a student fails to achieve a minimum score of 21, or an 18 if they attended a failing school, they would be required to remain in school until they turn 18. This systematic approach is intended to ensure that students considering leaving school are adequately evaluated on their academic capabilities before making such a significant decision.
Contention
Notably, there are points of contention regarding parental accountability and the enforceability of penalties for parents whose children fail to comply with school attendance laws post-dropout. The bill proposes penalties for parents who do not ensure compliance with attendance requirements, which may raise concerns about parental rights and responsibilities. Critics could argue that the legislation intrudes on parental autonomy concerning children’s educational choices while proponents might see it as a necessary measure to improve educational outcomes.