MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Scott (80th)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE PERSONS FAILING THE NATIONAL TEACHERS EXAMINATION TO TEACH FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS WHILE ATTEMPTING PASSAGE OF THE EXAM; TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; 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) (a) All classroom teachers initially employed as teachers after July 1, 1975, and paid under the provisions of the minimum program for the support of education in the State of Mississippi 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 may also establish, as an alternative, a minimum score on other national examinations deemed reasonably comparable, as a requirement for initial certification.

(b) If a person who is required to take the National Teachers Examination does not achieve the minimum score established by the State Board of Education, the person may teach under the supervision of the local superintendent of education and school principal for five (5) school years. During this five-year period, the person may attempt to successfully complete the National Teachers Examination on no more than three (3) occasions. If the person does not achieve the minimum score before the expiration of the five-year period, certification shall be denied, and the person shall no longer be eligible to teach in the public schools of the State of Mississippi.

(2) Teachers who seek initial employment in Mississippi and have at least one (1) full year 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 the school year without having satisfied the requirements under subsection (1) of this section. Failure to have successfully completed the requirements under subsection (1) by the above date automatically revokes the certificate. All other requirements of the provisional certificate shall apply for individuals affected by this law.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring any classroom teacher who was employed under the minimum program before July 1, 1974, to complete the requirements prescribed under subsection (1) of this section.

SECTION 2. Section 37-19-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-19-9. Except as otherwise provided in Section 37-19-13, no teacher holding a certificate of less than an "A" classification shall be eligible to teach in the public schools of this state; in setting such standards, the State Board of Education may designate certificates of vocational and technical teachers which will be considered as equivalent to Class A or AA certificates for the purpose of the scale as set forth in Section 37-19-7, and for the purpose of the experience increases provided for in Section 37-19-7. If, however, an emergency situation shall arise which would require the employment of a teacher with less than an "A" certificate, such teacher may be hired with permission in writing from the State Board of Education and then for only one (1) year at the time. The governing authorities of the school district needing the services of such teacher shall apply in writing to the State Board of Education for permission and shall state therein the circumstances creating the emergency and other reasons for the request to hire such a teacher. It shall be entirely in the discretion of the State Board of Education to determine whether or not such an emergency exists and whether or not such permission should be granted.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.