MS HB290

State Board of Education shall establish a Trimester School Year Pilot Program and select up to twelve eligible school districts to participate during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years, with at least one district per congressional district if applications are received.

Participating school districts must follow a trimester calendar with school year opening the Tuesday after the first Monday in September, each trimester consisting of at least 75 days of instruction, 15-day breaks between trimesters, and a total scholastic year of at least 225 days.

Core curriculum for grades 4-12 in pilot districts must include five core courses (Language Arts, Math, Foreign Language, Social Studies, and Science) with minimum 18 trimester units each, with standardized testing administered statewide on designated days and scored by machine.

State Board of Education shall increase annual Adequate Education Program funding for participating districts based on a formula that accounts for the difference between 225 days and the average attendance days in non-participating districts.

State Board of Education shall report to Education Committee chairmen before January 1, 2019, on pilot program results and recommendations regarding permanent implementation of trimester calendars statewide.