Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

Mississippi House Bill HB377

Introduced

1/10/25

Refer

1/10/25

Failed

2/4/25

Caption

"Mississippi Senior Cadets Program"; require State Department of Education to establish.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would result in the creation of specific regulations and guidelines that govern how the Mississippi Senior Cadets Program operates. High school seniors participating in the program will need to dedicate a minimum of five hours weekly to mentoring activities and collaborate with educators for further program improvements. Moreover, they are required to maintain a minimum 'C' grade average in their senior courses. Successful completion of the program not only rewards these mentors with valuable experience but also provides them with potential scholarships and college credits, making it a dual-benefit initiative.

Summary

House Bill 377 aims to establish the 'Mississippi Senior Cadets Program' through the State Department of Education. The primary goal of this program is to address and mitigate the issues of poor academic performance and high drop-out rates among students in the state. This initiative encourages high school seniors to take on mentorship roles, guiding younger students in kindergarten through eighth grade. By fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership in older students, the program seeks to enhance their own academic standings while positively impacting the educational outcomes of their mentees.

Contention

The introduction of HB 377 is part of a broader educational reform strategy in Mississippi. While it receives support for its potential to reduce student drop-out rates and improve academic performance, there may be concerns regarding the feasibility of the mentoring requirements and the additional burden placed on seniors who are already busy preparing for graduation and post-secondary education. The amendment to Section 37-106-29 of the Mississippi Code is designed to align existing financial assistance programs with this county-wide initiative, potentially inviting discussions about resource allocation and program effectiveness.