Bill Text: MS SB2704 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Civic literacy requirement for high school students; require before enrolling in college or university in this state.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2022-02-01 - Died In Committee [SB2704 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2022-SB2704-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2022 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) McDaniel

Senate Bill 2704

AN ACT TO REQUIRE STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL TO EARN THE CIVIC LITERACY REQUIREMENT BEFORE ENROLLING IN A PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN THIS STATE; TO AMEND THE CIVIC LITERACY REQUIREMENT FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION TO INCLUDE BOTH AN ASSESSMENT AND A COURSE OF INSTRUCTION; TO REQUIRE THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE 11TH AND 12TH GRADES TO INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS ON VOTING USING THE PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-13-181, 37-13-183 AND 37-13-185, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Beginning with students initially entering a Mississippi community college or state university in the 2023-2024 school year and thereafter, each student must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by achieving a passing score on an assessment and by successfully completing a civic literacy course.  The State Board of Education and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall adopt by rule and regulation, respectively, approved assessments that address the competencies and courses that meet the civic literacy requirements.  The Chair of the State Board of Education and the Chair of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, or their respective designees, shall jointly appoint a faculty committee to:

          (a)  Develop one or more course in civic literacy or revise an existing general education core course in American History or American Government to include, at a minimum, opportunities to engage synchronously in political discussions and civil debates with multiple points of view and to master the ability to synthesize information that informs civic decision-making.

          (b)  Establish course competencies and identify outcomes that include, at a minimum, an understanding of the basic principles of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government, an understanding of the United States Constitution, knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-governance, and an understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases and their impact on law and society.

     SECTION 2.  Section 37-13-181, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-13-181.  (1)  The local school boards of the public school districts, in their discretion, * * * may shall develop and implement, at the beginning of the * * * 1999‑2000 2023-2024 school year, a comprehensive program for character education in Grades K-12.  The definition of the character traits chosen by the school district for implementation shall reflect and be in keeping with both the spirit and the letter of the following founding documents:  the Mississippi Constitution of 1890; the Constitution of the United States of America; the Declaration of Independence; and state and federal law.  A public school may not define or teach character or character traits in any manner that might promote or encourage students to participate in conduct that would violate any state or federal law.

     (2)  Beginning with students entering a Mississippi community college or university in the 2023-2024 school year, each student shall demonstrate competency in civic literacy by achieving a passing score on an assessment and by successfully completing a civic literacy course as prescribed under Section 1 of this act.

     SECTION 3.  Section 37-13-183, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-13-183.  Assessment of the students' understanding of the character traits chosen to be taught in public school shall be limited to and must reflect the material taught in the classroom.  Students shall not be evaluated in any way as to whether or not the students evidence a specific character trait in their own lives.  Provided, however, that the State Board of Education shall direct each local school district to comply with the civic literacy assessment and course requirements of Section 1 of this act.

     SECTION 4.  Section 37-13-185, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-13-185.  (1)  The State Board of Education shall review the proposed character education programs of the individual school districts to ascertain if the programs comply with the criteria set forth in Section 37-13-181.  Review of the programs shall not exceed a time period of sixty (60) days.  If a review extends beyond this time period, the proposal will be deemed in compliance with the law.

     If the proposed character education program is rejected, the State Board of Education shall set forth in writing the specific areas of objection.  These objections must be based on and limited to the following criteria:  the definition of the character traits chosen by the school district for implementation shall reflect and be in keeping with both the spirit and letter of our founding documents; no instruction shall promote or encourage participation in any conduct that would violate existing state or federal law; and no student shall be assessed or evaluated as to whether or not the student evidences a specific character trait in his or her own life.

     (2)  Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, the character development curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 shall include instruction on voting using the primary and general election ballot.

     SECTION 5.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.


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