Maddy summaryHB 1242 establishes the Mississippi Dyslexia Generative Artificial Intelligence Education and Workforce Development Program, creating a state-funded, open-access dyslexia curriculum and AI system for use in public schools, correctional facilities, adult education, and workforce programs. The curriculum, developed by Lighthouse Academy for Dyslexia and the Mississippi Dyslexia Institute, will be freely available without licensing fees to Mississippi public institutions while requiring clear attribution to the founding partners. The bill designates this curriculum as Mississippi-approved for dyslexia instruction in public schools and aligns it with existing state literacy requirements. It aims to improve literacy outcomes for individuals with dyslexia across educational and correctional settings through evidence-based, AI-supported instruction.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 633 requires all Mississippi public and charter schools to implement cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) for athletic events starting in the 2024-2025 school year. It mandates that schools have an automated external defibrillator (AED) accessible within three minutes at all athletic venues, with specific training for staff in CPR and AED use. The bill prioritizes funding for "high-needs schools" (defined as those with at least 50% of students eligible for free/reduced meals or Title I status) to purchase and maintain AEDs and train personnel. The legislation also integrates evidence-based guidelines from the American Heart Association into school emergency protocols and provides legal immunity for those using AEDs in good faith. Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 656 establishes the Mississippi Special-Purpose Schools Oversight Board to oversee accreditation and authorization of schools serving students with learning differences (such as dyslexia, ADHD, and autism). The board, composed of 9 appointed members with expertise in neurodiversity, education, and school programming, would hold final authority over school accreditation while requiring annual reporting and measurable student growth standards. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never advanced beyond the initial referral stage. It directly affects students with specific learning disabilities and the accredited special-purpose schools serving them.
Maddy summaryHB 634 requires Mississippi school districts and the State Department of Education to provide an annual $6,000 salary supplement to National Board Certified occupational therapists and school psychologists working in public schools. This applies to certified professionals employed by school districts or the state education department, in addition to their regular salary and fringe benefits. To qualify for the full supplement, they must submit certification documentation by October 15; a prorated amount is available if documentation is submitted by February 15. The bill directly affects these certified professionals by adding a specific financial incentive tied to their national certification.
Maddy summaryHB 1494 requires Mississippi's educator preparation programs (teacher training programs) to include at least three credit hours of coursework on teaching students with dyslexia, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. The coursework must cover dyslexia science (including early indicators), evidence-based instructional strategies, and the process to become a dyslexia specialist. This applies directly to all teacher training programs in the state and their faculty, who must designate qualified instructors to teach this content. The bill aims to ensure future educators receive specific training to support students with dyslexia in classrooms.
Maddy summaryHB 1709 would allow children of active-duty military parents stationed at Mississippi military bases to qualify for Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarships or Speech-Language Therapy Scholarships even if they attended an out-of-state school during the previous school year. Currently, students must have attended a Mississippi public or approved nonpublic school the prior year to receive these scholarships; this bill removes that requirement for military-connected students. The change directly affects military families with children who have dyslexia or speech-language impairments and need these specialized therapies. It modifies eligibility criteria in two existing scholarship programs (Sections 37-173-5 and 37-175-5) to expand access for military dependents. The bill was introduced but died in committee in February 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 1704 would require Mississippi's dyslexia therapy scholarships and speech-language therapy scholarships to match the annual funding amount provided under the state's Educational Scholarship Account (ESA) program. Specifically, it amends Sections 37-173-13 and 37-175-13 to set therapy scholarship amounts equal to the ESA amount ($6,500 for 2015-2016, adjusted annually). These scholarships would fund students with dyslexia or speech-language impairments attending nonpublic schools, with payments made in installments by the State Department of Education. The bill does not change ESA eligibility rules but aligns therapy program funding with the ESA structure. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026.)
Maddy summaryHB 1705 authorizes Mississippi's Dyslexia Institute to run a 3-year pilot program offering evidence-based reading instruction to students with dyslexia who would otherwise face grade retention under the state's third-grade reading law. The program replaces retention with specialized Orton-Gillingham-based literacy training, prioritizing 80 students statewide and requiring teacher training in this methodology. It mandates annual reporting on student progress, retention rates, and program effectiveness to the legislature. The bill aims to improve reading outcomes while reducing unnecessary grade retention for students with dyslexia.
Maddy summaryHB 1710 requires all Mississippi public high school students, including those in charter schools, to pass a personal finance course (either a half-unit course or a full unit with at least half focused on financial literacy) to graduate, beginning with the Class of 2032. It establishes a Financial Literacy Trust Fund in the state treasury to support this program, administered by the State Board of Education with annual audits and reporting. The bill removes prior requirements for local school boards to implement financial literacy programs in grades 10-11 and extends the graduation requirement to charter schools. This policy directly affects high school students, educators, and state education funding mechanisms.
Maddy summaryHB 42 appropriates over $5.2 billion in state funds for Mississippi's K-12 education system for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It directly funds public schools, the State Department of Education, vocational programs, and specific initiatives like literacy programs, school facilities, special education services, and the Mississippi Student Funding Formula. Key provisions include $2.7 billion for the general education budget, $268 million for the student funding formula, and targeted allocations for programs such as Early Learning Collaboratives ($21.2 million) and Mississippi School for Math and Science ($1.1 million). The bill also restricts $37.6 million in funds to "Personal Services" (salaries and benefits) for education staff, requiring compliance with state personnel pay rules. This is a funding bill, not a policy change, directing existing state resources to existing education programs.