MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Universities and Colleges

By: Senator(s) Harden

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ALL STUDENTS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SCHOOLS OF EDUCATION TO COMPLETE TWO COURSES IN MULTICULTURAL UNDERSTANDING; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO PRESCRIBE THE CURRICULUM FOR SUCH COURSEWORK; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) All students attending a college of education in any public institution of higher learning in Mississippi shall complete two (2) courses in multicultural understanding prior to graduation. Courses in multicultural understanding shall be in two (2) categories: cross-cultural studies and diversity in Western experience. Each such student shall complete nine (9) hours credit from each category.

(2) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, with the assistance of the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Development, shall prescribe the courses which are approved to comply with the requirements of this act. Such coursework in multicultural understanding shall be approved in the following areas:

Area I - Communications

Area II - History

Area III - Social Studies

Area IV - Humanities

Area V - Natural Science

Area VI - Fine and Performing Arts

(3) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall require the Multicultural Understanding Curriculum in all public colleges of education beginning with the 2000-2001 school year.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.