Bill > SB2163

This bill mandates a comprehensive character education program for all public schools in Mississippi, to be implemented starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The legislation requires local school boards to develop and implement a K-12 character education curriculum focusing on 26 specific character traits, including courage, patriotism, honesty, respect, kindness, and perseverance. These character traits must be defined in alignment with founding documents such as the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and cannot promote any conduct that would violate state or federal law. The State Board of Education is tasked with reviewing each school district's proposed character education program to ensure compliance, with a 60-day review period, and must provide written objections if a program is rejected. Importantly, student assessment of character traits is limited to classroom material, and students cannot be evaluated on whether they personally demonstrate these traits in their own lives. The bill aims to promote positive character development among students while maintaining strict guidelines about how character education is implemented and assessed.