MS SB2556

Amends Mississippi Code Section 37-21-51 to require the State Department of Education to provide specific data metrics measuring the Early Learning Collaborative Act's effectiveness in three-year evaluations.

Mandates evaluation reports include both achievement and non-achievement effects, specifically: kindergarten readiness, English Language Arts and Math proficiency (grades 3-8), Science proficiency (grades 5 and 8), disciplinary incidents, chronic absenteeism, on-time graduation rate, college enrollment, grade retention, and special education services/exits.

Requires PEER Committee to review the three-year evaluation reports and intervening annual reports, then submit independent findings summary prior to the next legislative session.

Establishes evaluation must use longitudinal data to measure both short-term and long-term effects of the voluntary prekindergarten program across participating early learning collaboratives.

Takes effect July 1, 2024.