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HB 428

African-American Studies and Racial Diversity; require SBE to develop curriculum for implementation in public high school.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kabir Karriem

Mississippi would require its State Board of Education to develop African-American Studies and Racial Diversity curriculum for high school implementation.

Referred To Education
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Bill Summary · HB 428

Legislative bill overview

HB 428 would require Mississippi's State Board of Education (SBE) to develop a curriculum on African-American Studies and Racial Diversity for implementation in public high schools. The bill mandates curriculum development but does not specify implementation timelines, funding mechanisms, or whether the course would be required or elective.

Why is this important

African-American Studies curriculum in high schools can provide students with comprehensive historical perspectives and contribute to civic understanding, though implementation approaches significantly affect educational outcomes. This reflects broader national debates about how racial history and diversity are taught in K-12 education, with implications for teacher training, textbook selection, and student learning standards.

Potential points of contention

  • Curriculum content disputes: Disagreement over which historical events, figures, and interpretations should be included, reflecting broader cultural debates about how race relations are presented in education
  • Funding and implementation: Unclear whether this is a mandate without resources, potentially straining school district budgets for teacher training, materials development, and course offerings
  • Elective vs. requirement status: The bill doesn't specify if this course would be mandatory or optional, affecting access equity and graduation requirements across districts

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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