Reinforcing College Education on America's Constitutional Heritage (REACH) Act; create.
The REACH Act is significant as it aims to strengthen the understanding of America's constitutional heritage among undergraduates. By making the study of these foundational texts a requirement for graduation, the bill directly affects the curriculum across all baccalaureate programs. The law was designed to ensure that students graduate with a comprehensive understanding of critical American civic principles, which proponents argue is essential for an informed citizenry.
Senate Bill 2065, known as the 'Reinforcing College Education on America's Constitutional Heritage Act' or the 'REACH Act', mandates that all state institutions of higher learning in Mississippi provide undergraduate students with instruction in key historical documents and principles related to American governance. This includes the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail. Students must complete at least three semester credit hours in this subject to graduate.
However, there are potential points of contention regarding the implementation and enforcement of such requirements. Critics may argue that enforcing a uniform curriculum could undermine academic freedom and the ability of institutions to tailor courses to their specific missions and student needs. Moreover, the enforcement provisions in the bill stipulate that if a state institution fails to comply for more than a year, the institution's head may face removal, which raises concerns about the appropriateness of such penalties in the academic environment.