MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representatives Roberson, Fillingane, Formby, Holland, Mayo, Smith (59th), Zuber, Lott

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ALLOW THE TEACHING OF VIRTUES IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS; TO REQUIRE STUDENTS' PARTICIPATION IN VIRTUES TRAINING TO BE VOLUNTARY; TO PROHIBIT THE ASSESSMENT OF A STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE IN VIRTUES TRAINING FROM BEING BASED ON EVIDENCE OF CERTAIN VIRTUES IN THE STUDENT'S LIFE; TO AUTHORIZE THE POSTING OF DOCUMENTS ON VIRTUES IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, today's young people will be the stewards of our communities, nation and world in critical times, and the present and future well-being of our society requires an educated, caring, virtuous citizenry; and

WHEREAS, many of our young people are not receiving instruction in virtues and no longer have any moral anchor by which to be guided; thus, crime and violence among adolescents are continually mounting; and

WHEREAS, America has moved so far from her Bible-based founding principles that she will no longer allow Scripture in her public schools, yet absolute, constant, fundamental standards of right and wrong must be taught to young people through a neutral source if our country is to regain her moral compass: NOW, THEREFORE,

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

SECTION 1. (1) Each public school district, in its discretion, may authorize the teaching of virtues in the schools within the district. However, nothing in this section shall be construed to require school districts to teach virtues. Students' participation in a class or program offering training in virtues must be voluntary, and nothing in this section shall be construed to require any student to unwillingly participate in a class or program in which training in virtues is offered.

(2) Any school district that elects to offer a program of training in virtues in the schools within that district may determine which virtues will be incorporated into the district's program of virtues training.

(3) Assessment of the students' understanding of specific virtues taught in any class or program offering training in virtues must be limited to and reflect the material taught in the class or program. In determining a student's grade, a teacher may not evaluate in any way whether or not the student has evidenced a specific virtue in the student's own life.

(4) Any teacher, administrator, school counselor or local school board member in any public school district in the state may post in a public school classroom, building or other facility of the school any document or writing on a specific virtue or virtues or on virtuous conduct in general.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.