Senate Bill 2168

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-13-56, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT EVERY PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOL WITHIN THE STATE SHALL TEACH CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT COURSES STARTING IN THE EIGHTH GRADE AND BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF TWELFTH GRADE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COURSES SHALL FOCUS ON INCREASING STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL PRESCRIBE THE COURSE OF STUDY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 37-13-56, Mississippi Code of 1972:

37-13-56. (1) Every public and charter school located within the state shall be required to teach history and civics classes before the completion of high school. Each school shall require students to complete regular courses of instruction in the factually accurate history of the United States, in civics, in the Constitution of the United States and in the government of the State of Mississippi starting in the eighth grade and before students complete twelfth grade. The courses shall focus on fostering and perpetuating the ideals, principles and spirit of political and economic democracy in the United States of America and increasing the knowledge of the organization of the government of the United States and of the State of Mississippi. The courses shall have an emphasis on the study of federalism, the separation of powers, the checks and balances throughout the government and the Bill of Rights. The courses shall not include the teaching of what is colloquially known as "critical race theory."

(2) The State Department of Education shall prescribe the courses of study, including the basic course requirements and the academic standards for these courses.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.