MS SB2746

Establishes a Rural Education Development Initiative (REDI) effective with the 2019-2020 school year to provide support services and revise accountability ratings for rural schools.

Directs the State Board of Education to develop a definition of "rural school" and "rural school district" based on population density, remoteness, school organization, resource availability, and economic conditions.

Creates a separate "Rural School Rating" system (1a, 2a, or 3a) tailored to characteristics and needs of rural students as an alternative to standard accountability ratings.

Allows rural schools to realign testing procedures by waiving rigid requirements for certified teacher test administrators and permitting students to opt out of computer-based testing in cases of hardship.

Authorizes the State Department of Education to provide additional intervention specialists to rural schools and districts, with rural schools eligible to apply for distance learning funding in mathematics, science, and business courses when certified teachers are unavailable.