MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representatives Banks, Bozeman, Schoby, Straughter

AN ACT TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE K-12 PROGRAM FOR CHARACTER EDUCATION; TO PRESCRIBE THE CHARACTER TRAITS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. The local school boards of the public school districts shall develop and implement, at the beginning of the 1997-1998 school year, a comprehensive program for character education in Grades K-12, to consist of at least ten (10) minutes of instruction at the beginning of each school day. This program for character education shall focus on students' development of the following character traits: courage, patriotism, citizenship, honesty, fairness, respect for and obedience to the law, respect for others, kindness, cooperation, self-respect, self-control, courtesy, compassion, tolerance, diligence, generosity, punctuality, cleanliness, cheerfulness, school pride, respect for the environment, patience, creativity, sportsmanship, loyalty and perseverance. The program for character education shall include the pledge of allegiance to the flag as required in Section 37-13-7. The State Board of Education shall develop a model curriculum for the required program for character education to be made available to all school districts along with necessary technical assistance.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.