MS HB223

Establishes "Vision 2020: An Education Blueprint for Two Thousand Twenty" requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules with specific goals, objectives, strategies, indicators, and benchmarks for public education

Sets mandatory goals including exceeding national/international academic averages on NAEP, ACT, and SAT; preparing all students for postsecondary education or employment; achieving functional literacy for all working-age adults; and providing equitable education opportunities

Requires performance objectives including 90% high school graduation rate for ninth graders, 50% improvement for students in the lowest quartile on national measures, and increasing college attendance rates to match Southern Regional Education Board member states by 2019-2020

Establishes goals for public higher education focused on lifelong learning, economic development, workforce preparation, student completion of degrees, and promoting academic research and innovation

Creates an education partnership between public schools, state institutions of higher learning, community colleges, and their governing boards to coordinate instruction, public service, workforce development, and research efforts