The Mississippi Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Curriculum and Instruction is requesting applicants for the United States Government and Civics course update committee, in accordance with Senate Bill 2294.
Senate Bill 2294 was passed on April 8, 2026, with section 31 making civics a requirement for students between eighth and 12th grade, ensuring students leave high school with a better understanding of local, state, and federal governments and how they function. MDE and the Legislature agreed to incorporate this content into the pre-existing United States Government course, renaming it to United States Government and Civics, while also updating the standards.
Applicants are required to be certified teachers currently working in a Mississippi public school district. Those selected are required to attend an all-day, in-person meeting on Oct. 2, 2026, at the COFO Center, located on Jackson State University’s campus. In addition, they are required to attend three, one-hour virtual meetings between November 2026 and February 2027 to serve as follow-ups to the October meeting.
To apply, interested individuals should go to Application Form.
For more information, contact Al Wheat, K12 Social Studies Director, via email at awheat@mdek12.org or via phone at 601-359-3461.