MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Ford

House Bill 338

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO REENACT SECTIONS 37-149-1, 37-149-3 AND 37-149-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI TEACHER CENTER WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PRESCRIBE ITS POWERS AND DUTIES; TO AMEND REENACTED SECTION 37-149-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THE MISSISSIPPI TEACHER CENTER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-149-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is reenacted as follows:

37-149-1. (1) There is hereby established within the State Department of Education, the Mississippi Teacher Center for the purpose of insuring that the children of our state are taught by quality professionals. The center shall serve as an interagency center focused on teacher recruitment, enhanced training and initial instructional support.

(2) The center shall have a staff which shall consist of one (1) director and one (1) administrative assistant. A steering committee shall be established which shall consist of one (1) member from each of the following: the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, the State Board of Education, the Board of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges, the Board of the Mississippi Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, trustees of the local school boards, teachers and the private sector. The members of the steering committee shall be appointed by the State Superintendent with the approval of the board. The steering committee shall direct the work and establish policies for the purpose of operating the center.

(3) The center shall provide leadership for the following initiatives:

(a) The initiation and monitoring of high school programs for teacher recruitment;

(b) The initiation and monitoring of college level programs for teacher recruitment;

(c) The establishment of a Beginning Teacher/Mentoring program, as authorized in Sections 37-9-201 through 37-9-213;

(d) The sponsorship of a teacher renewal institute;

(e) The continuation of the Teacher Corps program;

(f) The enhancement of the William Winter Scholarship program;

(g) Research for the development of professional teaching standards;

(h) Provide additional scholarships for any targeted populations needing potential teachers;

(i) Provide assistance to local school districts in identifying and locating specific teacher needs.

SECTION 2. Section 37-149-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is reenacted as follows:

37-149-3. (1) The center shall place a priority on its function as a teacher recruitment center. In addition to its other duties, it shall publicize the importance of the teaching profession, operate a teacher placement service, and create and manage a teacher renewal institute.

(2) The center shall be authorized to phase into operation its designated functions. Full operation of all the functions of the center shall be in place and operating by July 1, 1996.

(3) The center shall develop in-service training materials and shall provide for the establishment of a corps of trainers.

SECTION 3. Section 37-149-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is reenacted and amended as follows:

37-149-5. Sections 37-149-1 through 37-149-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall stand repealed on July 1, 1998.

SECTION 4. The Legislature recommends that all sections which are reenacted but not amended in this act, and which appear in the main volume of the Mississippi Code of 1972, shall not be reprinted in the supplement, but that an editor's note shall appear in the supplement in the proper place to explain that the section was reenacted and the language as it appears in the main volume was unaffected by the legislation and consequently has not been reprinted in the supplement.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.