Requirements of Mississippi legislation designed to upgrade student achievement and school personnel competence, reward good teaching, increase accountability, and facilitate state level educational leadership are clarified in this implementation guide. For each section of the Reform Act the rationale is summarized, statutory citations provided, and stipulations outlined. Mandates for improving student achievement include a full day kindergarten program, a statewide system of assistant reading instructors for grades 1 to 3, a comprehensive state testing program, more stringent graduation requirements including functional literacy testing, and a revised compulsory attendance law. Aimed at promoting better preparation and growth of school personnel are performance-based certification, required inservice training, a professional development program, and science and math teacher training scholarships. A performance-based school accreditation system is among local school management requirements. Included in state school governance, leadership, and finance provisions are a statement of Mississippi educational policy and an increase in minimum teacher salaries. An implementation calendar provides a detailed chronology of steps to be taken for each requirement and identifies the parties responsible for each step. (MJL)