Senate Bill 2683

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-13-181 THROUGH 37-13-185, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MANDATE A COMPREHENSIVE K-12 PROGRAM FOR CHARACTER EDUCATION EFFECTIVE WITH THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR AND TO PRESCRIBE CHARACTER TRAITS TO BE THE FOCUS OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REVIEW SCHOOL DISTRICTS' PROPOSED CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-13-181, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-13-181. The local school boards of the public school districts * * * ~~, in their discretion, may~~ are authorized and directed to develop and implement, at the beginning of the * * * ~~1999‑2000~~ 2024-2025 school year, a comprehensive program for character education in Grades K-12. This program of 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. 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 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.

SECTION 2. Section 37-13-183, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-13-183. * * * ~~Assessment~~ Effective with the 2024-2025 school year, 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.

SECTION 3. Section 37-13-185, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-13-185. * * * ~~The~~ Effective with the 2024-2025 school year 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, and develop an annual report thereon to the Legislature. 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.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.