MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Jordan (24th)

Senate Bill 2170

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE K-12 PROGRAM FOR CHARACTER EDUCATION; TO PRESCRIBE THE CHARACTER TRAITS TO BE DEVELOPED BY SAID 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 of this state are hereby authorized and directed to develop and implement, at the beginning of the 1997-1998 school year, a comprehensive program for character education in Grades K-12. The program shall consist of at least ten (10) minutes of instruction at the beginning of each school day, which shall be in addition to the period of instructional time required by the State Board of Education for accreditation purposes. This program of character education shall focus on students' development of the following character traits: courage, patriotism, citizenship, honesty, pride in quality work, 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. Said program of character education shall include the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag as required in Section 37-13-7, Mississippi Code of 1972. 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.