MS HB417

Designates the legislation as "Lexi's Law" and requires the State Board of Education to prescribe minimum course contents for all public elementary and secondary schools in Mississippi.

Mandates that cursive writing be taught in elementary schools so students can create readable documents through legible cursive handwriting by the end of third grade.

Requires English, social studies, mathematics, and science to be taught in grades 1-8, with English emphasizing language arts skills and social studies emphasizing U.S. and Mississippi history and geography.

Obligates each local school board to certify annually to the State Board of Education that applicable schools meet cursive writing requirements, with the State Board authorized to adopt implementing rules.

Takes effect July 1, 2017, with requirements phased in beginning with students entering grades 1-8 in the 2017-2018 school year.