MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Morris

House Concurrent Resolution 26

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MISSISSIPPI TEACHERS CERTIFIED BY THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS (NBPTS) AND SETTING APART A SPECIAL DAY TO CONGRATULATE AND EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO THOSE TEACHERS FOR THEIR IMMEASURABLE COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. 

WHEREAS, meaningful economic, political and social advancement and, in general, improvement of the quality of life for all Mississippians, is undoubtedly heavily dependent upon and directly correlated with a superior education of the children of this state; and

WHEREAS, as the Twenty-first Century approaches, teachers in the elementary and secondary schools, faced with complex educational issues and often, diverse student bodies, must overcome new challenges in guiding all students to achieve higher standards of learning and development; and

WHEREAS, in 1987, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), a private, nonprofit 63-member body comprised of teachers, school administrators, local board members, past and present governors, teacher educators, children's advocates and business leaders, was established with the mission of improving the quality of teaching and public education; and

WHEREAS, national certification by the NBPTS, which has established rigorous, uniform standards for what teachers across the country should know and be able to do in order to increase student learning, is a voluntary endeavor by a teacher which requires successful completion of a series of performance-based assessments; and

WHEREAS, the outstanding, highly motivated Mississippi teachers who have achieved national certification will have a positive and lasting effect on teaching and learning in the State of Mississippi and will bridge the gap from the classroom today to the educational environment of our schools of tomorrow; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Mississippi believes that it is most appropriate to pay special tribute and bring deserved recognition and attention to the nationally certified Mississippi teachers who, having dedicated themselves to providing the highest quality of education to the children of our state, exemplify determination, commitment, excellence and professionalism:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the Mississippi teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and set apart a special day, _____________________________, 1997, to extend congratulations and express the appreciation of the Legislature and all Mississippians to those teachers for their immeasurable commitment, demonstrated through their having achieved such certification, to improving education in the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to each teacher who has been nationally certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), the schools in which those teachers are employed and members of the Capitol Press Corps.