MS HB164

Prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring students to pass end-of-course tests under the Subject Area Testing Program as a condition for high school graduation, effective in the 2020-2021 school year.

Requires the State Board to adopt a policy for administering end-of-course tests to comply with federal requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act and Title I, but students who fail these tests cannot be denied graduation if they meet all other diploma requirements including required credits and satisfactory course grades.

Amends Section 37-16-7 to prohibit local school districts from using end-of-course test passage to determine if students have mastered minimum academic skills required for graduation.

Clarifies that state subject area tests shall be used only for measuring proficiency levels, not as a graduation requirement, in career track programs and High School Equivalency Diploma Option programs.

Takes effect July 1, 2020.