MS SB2577

Establishes the "College and Work Readiness Act of 2018," creating an ACT-STEM Improvement Pilot Program pairing three historically black universities with low-performing school districts across Mississippi

Alcorn State University partners with Claiborne County, Jefferson County, and Natchez-Adams County school districts; Jackson State University partners with Jackson Public Schools and Hinds County Public Schools; Mississippi Valley State University partners with districts in Leflore, Sunflower, Bolivar, Tallahatchie, and Washington counties

Universities work with middle school students in grades 7-9 to raise ACT scores to 21 or above, increase interest in STEM subjects, and improve high school and college graduation rates

Requires the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and State Department of Education to collaboratively develop a consistent implementation model for the program

Allows the Legislature to appropriate funds for start-up costs and permits the program to accept private funding sources, effective July 1, 2018