MS SB2302

Requires all Mississippi public elementary and secondary schools to teach developmentally appropriate "success sequence and character education" courses beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, emphasizing finishing high school, working full-time, and getting married before having children.

Mandates instruction in 15 specific character traits including trustworthiness, responsibility, respect for parental authority, respect for lifelong marriage, sexual abstinence outside marriage, and religious faith.

Requires the State Department of Education to approve compliant courses and instructional materials by June 30, 2026, prohibiting any materials that "contradict or undermine" the required character traits.

Allows parents to opt their children out of the courses upon written notice and requires school boards to make course materials available for public inspection.

Mandates school boards to allow voluntary after-school programs by third parties that provide "philosophical, historical, traditional, or religious justifications" for the character education content, with parental consent required for student participation.