Mississippi became one of the first states to make civil rights education a major part of its social studies standards in schools in 2011. But districts haven’t updated all their textbooks to reflect those changes.
The standards for Mississippi Studies, a high school social studies course usually taught in 9th grade, required for graduation, cite Jim Crow and the Freedom Rides. Many districts still use a book published in 2005 that doesn’t include those topics but does mention segregationist governor James K. Vardaman 69 times.
Blue districts are using a mix of old books, and new books published after 2012, when the new civil rights standards were established.
Green districts are exclusively using books published prior to the new standards.
The Hechinger Report provides in-depth, fact-based, unbiased reporting on education that is free to all readers. But that doesn't mean it's free to produce. Support our mission today and, thanks to NewsMatch, your one time donation will be doubled or your new monthly donation will be multiplied 12 times.
Letters to the Editor
Send us your thoughts
No letters have been published at this time.