MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Smith

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE TEACHERS APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION TO TEACH IN GRADES K-4 TO COMPLETE A PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION IN ALL READING METHODS FOR THE PUPILS IN SAID GRADES, ACCORDING TO STANDARDS SET FORTH BY THE COLLEGE BOARD AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. 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. For persons applying for certification to teach in Mississippi Kindergarten through Grade 4 after July 1, 1998, such certification shall require the completion of a program of instruction addressing all reading methods for pupils in Kindergarten through Grade 4, in accordance with standards set forth by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the State Board of Education.

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 prior to July 1, 1996, 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 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.