HB 1700 Summary

• Appropriates $2,238,807,477 from the State General Fund and $1,164,201,587 from special funds to the State Board of Education for K-12 education, vocational and technical education, and related educational programs for fiscal year 2021 (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021).

• Sets the Mississippi Adequate Education Program base student cost at $5,829.35 and allocates $2,047,736,695 in general funds and $238,269,249 in special funds toward this program.

• Establishes performance targets across multiple education metrics including special education teacher positions (6,248 FTE), kindergarten readiness achievement (68.88%), 3rd grade reading proficiency (80%), and high school college/career readiness (86.43%).

• Authorizes 330 permanent full-time and 162 time-limited full-time positions for the State Department of Education (excluding vocational division); restricts salary increases and promotional raises unless approved by the State Personnel Board with special circumstances documentation.

• Directs $23,080,000 for National Board Certification, $15,058,000 for the Educable Child Program, $3,000,000 for Education Scholarship Accounts, and transfers $9,026,532 to various educational entities and programs including Teach for America ($1,500,000), Algebra Nation ($725,000), and multiple special education and literacy initiatives.