Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the Department of Education's power to investigate and discipline cheating in public schools, effective upon passage.

Highlights:

• Expands the disciplinary actions the Board of Education is authorized to take with respect to a teacher or administrator’s license, including, but not limited to, refusing to renew the license or placing the licensee on probation (Sec. 2).

• Expands the grounds for which the board is authorized to take disciplinary action to include the following (Sec. 2):

• The teacher or administrator submits a false certification to the department stating a statewide test was administered in strict accordance with requirements imposed by the board; and

• The teacher or administrator fails to comply with the procedures for reporting infractions as required by the board

• Authorizes the board to subpoena an individual and to require the production of records and other documents (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the department to take control of the statewide test administration in a school district if there is an allegation of a testing irregularity or unauthorized access to test booklets or answer documents (Sec. 3).

• Requires a school principal to certify to the department that a statewide test was administered properly and to report any potential violations to the department (Sec. 3)

• Classifies a false certification of proper test administration as a felony punishable by a fine of no more than $15,000 and up to 3 years in prison (Sec. 4).

• Requires a school district to reimburse the department for the cost of investigating a confirmed testing irregularity (Sec. 3).

• Exempts “investigative reports” from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text