Senate Bill 2676

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEMONSTRATION OF PROFICIENCY IN CIVICS AS A CONDITION OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION BY REQUIRING STUDENTS TO TAKE A CIVICS COURSE THAT DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE HISTORY, PRINCIPLES AND FORM OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES; TO REQUIRE THE UNITED STATES HISTORY CURRICULUM TO INCLUDE HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE BEGINNING WITH THE SETTLEMENT OF JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA, IN 1607; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. High school graduation requirement; civics course. (1) For purposes of this section, "civics course" means a course promulgated by the Mississippi Department of Education that must demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, principles and form of government of the United States.

(2) The State Board of Education shall provide that the requirements of this section shall be incorporated into the United States History curriculum required for high school students. Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, the United States History curriculum shall include historical knowledge regarding the United States of America from the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607 to the present.

(3) This section is applicable to any student who graduates from high school during or after the 2024-2025 school year.

SECTION 2. Section 37-16-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-16-7. (1) Each district school board shall establish standards for graduation from its schools which shall include as a minimum:

(a) Mastery of minimum academic skills as measured by assessments developed and administered by the State Board of Education.

(b) Completion of a minimum number of academic credits, and all other applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board.

( * * *cd) By school, information on high school graduation rates. High schools with graduation rates lower than eighty percent (80%) must submit a detailed plan to the Mississippi Department of Education to restructure the high school experience to improve graduation rates.

(2) A student who meets all requirements prescribed in subsection (1) of this section shall be awarded a standard diploma in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education.

(3) The State Board of Education may establish student proficiency standards for promotion to grade levels leading to graduation.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.