MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Manning

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE CERTIFICATION PROCESSES OF THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS AND OTHER NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO SUBMIT A REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE THE 2000 SESSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The State Superintendent of Public Education shall appoint a committee to study the Master Teacher certification program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and any similar national certification or professional recognition programs for school counselors, social workers, speech pathologists and audiologists, school nurses, vocational and technical instructors and any other professional, nonadministrative school employees. The committee shall be comprised of employees of the State Department of Education, a representative from the primary association or organization in Mississippi representing the education professionals named in this section and representatives of such other organizations deemed appropriate by the State Board of Education. The committee shall review the requirements for certification or professional recognition under the various national programs and shall assess whether the national certification or professional recognition is an appropriate indicator of the professional's ability and quality of service to the school.

Before November 1, 1999, the committee shall submit a written report of its findings to the Education Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The report shall include: a comparison of the certification or professional recognition requirements of the various national programs; recommendations on whether or not the state should offer incentives for the education professionals to seek the national certification or professional recognition available to their specific profession; recommendations on the appropriate amount of any financial incentives; and such other information deemed relevant by the State Board of Education.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.