AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE TEACHING HONESTY, RESPECT, INTEGRITY, VIRTUE AND EXCELLENCE (T.H.R.I.V.E.) ACT; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MANDATE DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SUCCESS SEQUENCE AND CHARACTER EDUCATION COURSES IN ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS BEGINNING WITH THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO APPROVE A MINISTERIAL, NONDISCRETIONARY LIST OF COMPLIANT COURSES AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND RESTRICT DISTRICTS TO ADOPTION FROM THAT APPROVED LIST; TO PRESCRIBE THE SPECIFIC SUCCESS SEQUENCE PRINCIPLES AND ENUMERATED CHARACTER TRAITS AND FUNDAMENTAL VALUES TO BE TAUGHT, INCLUDING RESPECT FOR FAMILY, MARRIAGE, WORK, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, LAWFUL AUTHORITY, COMMUNITY SERVICE, PATRIOTISM, AND MORAL CHARACTER; TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE OF CURRICULUM ADOPTION, ENSURE TRANSPARENCY THROUGH PUBLIC INSPECTION OF MATERIALS, AND ESTABLISH PARENTAL OPT-OUT RIGHTS WITHOUT PENALTY TO STUDENTS; TO REQUIRE ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORTING BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STATE LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF DISTRICT COMPLIANCE STATUS; TO AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF FEDERAL OR PRIVATE FUNDS TO ASSIST IMPLEMENTATION; TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO ADOPT POLICIES PERMITTING VOLUNTARY, PARENT-CONSENTED AFTER-SCHOOL INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY THIRD PARTIES THAT OFFER PHILOSOPHICAL, HISTORICAL, TRADITIONAL, OR RELIGIOUS JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE SUCCESS SEQUENCE AND CHARACTER EDUCATION CURRICULUM, SUBJECT TO CONTENT CONSISTENCY AND VIEWPOINT NEUTRALITY PROTECTIONS; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROMULGATE RULES NECESSARY FOR IMPLEMENTATION; TO PROVIDE FOR CODIFICATION IN CHAPTER 13, TITLE 37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972; TO ESTABLISH SUPREMACY OVER CONFLICTING STATE LAWS OR POLICIES; TO PROVIDE SEVERABILITY; TO SET AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
The legislation aims to reinforce a set of values that proponents argue are essential for student development and citizenship. It establishes that schools must teach concepts linked to personal success, including the importance of education completion, workforce participation, and responsibilities within family settings. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes transparency by mandating school boards to notify the public about curriculum adoption and to provide a means for parental opt-out from these courses, which could enhance parental engagement in educational decision-making.
House Bill 1311, known as the Teaching Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Virtue and Excellence (T.H.R.I.V.E.) Act, intends to mandate the implementation of character education in Mississippi's public schools by the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill requires the State Department of Education to develop and approve a specific list of courses and instructional materials focused on promoting key values such as honesty, responsibility, and respect for family and community. Schools are tasked with adopting these materials exclusively from the approved list, ensuring a uniform educational standard across the state.
Critics of HB 1311 have raised concerns regarding the implications of a state-mandated curriculum that prescribes specific values and principles. They argue that this could lead to the exclusion of diverse perspectives and the marginalization of those who do not conform to the outlined character traits. Furthermore, there is contention surrounding the bill's approach to parental consent for after-school programs, raising questions about the extent of state control over educational content and student instruction. The potential for the bill to create disparities between districts with varying resources for implementation also raises equity concerns among opponents.