MS HB51

Amends Mississippi's Literacy-Based Promotion Act to clarify that third grade students must score at the "required achievement level" rather than the "lowest achievement level" on state reading assessments to be promoted to fourth grade.

Beginning in 2018-2019, students scoring at the lowest two achievement levels in reading on the state annual accountability assessment will not be promoted to fourth grade, expanding from the current requirement targeting only the lowest achievement level.

Authorizes use of alternative standardized reading assessments during years when the state transitions to a new annual accountability assessment.

Allows good cause exemptions for promotion including limited English proficient students with less than two years of English language instruction, students with disabilities under specified conditions, and students with documented intensive intervention and prior retention.

Requires schools to provide intensive reading instruction and intervention using research-based strategies for any third grade student promoted to fourth grade through a good cause exemption, effective July 1, 2016.