MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Richardson

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-19-13 AND 37-9-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN TEACHERS CERTIFIED IN OTHER STATES MAY BE CERTIFIED IN MISSISSIPPI WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL TESTING; TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT TEACHERS CERTIFIED IN OTHER STATES FROM THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED FOR MISSISSIPPI TEACHERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-19-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-19-13. (1) All classroom teachers initially employed in Mississippi as teachers after July 1, 1975, and paid under the provisions of the minimum program * * * shall be required to take the National Teachers Examination. Scores on the test or tests shall be made a part of the transcript of the applicant by the institution administering the test or tests, and shall be maintained as a part of the teacher's record in the office of Teacher Certification Division of the State Department of Education. The State Board of Education is directed to establish a minimum score on the National Teachers Examination and also may establish, as an alternative, a minimum score on other national examinations deemed reasonably comparable, as a requirement for initial certification.

(2) Any teacher seeking initial certification in Mississippi who has at least three (3) full years teaching experience in another state and holds a valid certificate from that state which is recognized by the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Development may be issued a teaching certificate without taking the National Teachers Examination or meeting any other requirements mandated for certification in Mississippi. However, within three (3) years of receiving a teaching certificate under this subsection, a teacher must successfully complete a college level course in Mississippi History. Failure to successfully complete such course shall result in the revocation of the teaching certificate. Upon successful completion of the course, the teacher shall be reimbursed for the actual cost of the course by the local school district in which he is currently, or most recently has been, employed.

(3) Teachers who seek initial employment in Mississippi who have at least one (1) but less than three (3) full years teaching experience in another state and hold a valid certificate from that state which is recognized by the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Development may receive a provisional certificate for a period of time not to exceed June 30 of that school year without having completed the National Teachers Examination. Failure to have successfully completed the National Teachers Examination by June 30 shall result in the automatic revocation of the provisional certificate. All other requirements of the provisional certificate shall apply for individuals affected by this subsection.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring any classroom teacher who was employed under the minimum program before July 1, 1974, to take the National Teachers Examination.

SECTION 2. Section 37-9-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-9-11. The State Board of Education may require tests such as the common and teaching areas of the National Teachers Examination or an examination of achievement as one of the requirements for the issuance of public school professional certificates issued * * * to any person applying for the first time for a professional certificate. However, the test or tests shall not be required for a teacher certified in another state who seeks initial certification in Mississippi and satisfies those conditions provided in Section 37-19-13(2).

Scores on the test or tests shall be made a part of the record of the applicant and maintained in the files of the Office of Teacher Certification Division of the State Department of Education.

The State Board of Education is further authorized, in its discretion, to make determinations of minimum scores required of a person applying for the first time for a professional certificate.

The State Board of Education, in its discretion, shall determine conditions that would prevail should a person desire to take said test or tests more than once.

SECTION 3. Section 37-9-8, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-9-8. Recognizing teaching as a profession, preparation to teach in Mississippi Grades 7 through 12 shall require a major in an academic field other than education, or a combination of disciplines other than education. Students preparing to teach a subject shall complete a major in the respective subject discipline.

Certification to teach in Mississippi kindergarten through Grade 4 shall require the completion of an interdisciplinary program of studies. Certificates for Grades 4 through 8 shall require the completion of a program of studies with two (2) or more areas of concentration.

It shall be a requirement for any person to be certified as a teacher in Mississippi that the person meet and comply with the requirements set forth in the foregoing part of this section. In addition, the person applying for teacher certification must demonstrate that such person's college preparation in those fields was in accordance with the standards set forth by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).

Persons applying for certification as a teacher before July 1, 1996, and teachers certified in another state seeking initial certification in Mississippi who satisfy those conditions provided in Section 37-19-13(2) shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.

Preparation to be a principal in elementary or secondary schools in Mississippi shall include an AA certificate in administration plus three (3) years actual teaching experience.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.