MS HB138

Requires school districts to adopt policies allowing instructors to use raw grading scales based solely on student achievement of course and grade-level standards, without regard to class size or arbitrary grade distribution percentages.

Mandates teachers conduct weekly or bi-weekly testing assessments and systematic evaluations using coursework, homework, projects, and periodic tests to determine student competence before promotion to the next grade level.

Establishes weekly or bi-weekly evaluation periods for teachers by school administrators to assess teaching effectiveness and student achievement grades, with failure to meet growth resulting in administrative sanctions lasting three to five years.

Implements the "Literacy-Based Promotion Act" requiring intensive reading instruction for kindergarten through third-grade students with reading deficiencies, with retention requirements for third graders not meeting reading proficiency standards by end of school year (beginning 2018-2019 school year, students scoring above the lowest two achievement levels shall not be promoted).

Provides good cause exemptions for third-grade promotion limited to English language learners with less than two years of ESL instruction, students with disabilities on appropriate IEPs, and students demonstrating proficiency on approved alternative assessments.