Mississippi schools provide math support and require new courses

The Department of Education must place math coaches in grades K–12 and develop a math screening system for grades K–5. Coaching covers grades K–12, with priority for grades 2–6. Screening covers students in grades K–5 in participating districts. The department invites districts to participate and gives priority to high-need districts while ensuring regional coverage. Only participating districts must administer the K–5 screener and develop plans for students below benchmark. Participating districts begin screening at least three times a year in the 2026–2027 school year.

Districts must provide reading interventions and an individual reading plan for students in grades 4–8 identified with reading deficiencies. These requirements apply to students in grades 4–8 identified as having reading deficiencies. The plan is developed by school staff and the parent and describes the reading help the student will receive. The school must notify the parent in writing within 10 calendar days after identifying the deficiency. The plan is due no later than 30 days after the school identifies the reading deficiency.

The State Board of Education must include financial literacy in grades 6–8 curriculum, and students must pass a personal finance course to graduate. The course requirement applies to each student seeking a high school diploma. The curriculum requirement applies to schools accredited by the Department of Education, including public charter schools. Students may meet the graduation requirement with a half-unit personal finance course or a full-unit course with at least half its standards on financial literacy. The grade 6–8 lessons begin in the 2027–2028 school year. The graduation requirement starts with the class of 2032.

Public high school students must earn one approved computer science credit or a career and technical credit that includes computer science. This applies to public high school students entering ninth grade in the 2029–2030 school year or later. The State Board of Education must approve the course. The course must cover basic ideas behind emerging computer technologies, including artificial intelligence and its effects on society. The credit may also count toward one math credit, except Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II, or one science credit, except biology and one physical science requirement. Students must earn the credit before graduation, starting with the entering ninth-grade class of 2029–2030.

Public and charter schools must teach civics as part of their required curriculum. The requirement covers every public and charter school in Mississippi and students from grade 8 through grade 12. Courses cover accurate U.S. and Mississippi history, government, constitutional rights, and civic participation. The Department of Education prescribes the courses and updates their standards. Civics instruction begins in the 2027–2028 school year. Teacher training takes place in summer 2027.