MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Flaggs

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI TEACHER CENTER TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON WAYS TO EFFECTIVELY RECRUIT AND RETAIN AFRICAN-AMERICAN TEACHERS; TO REQUIRE THE CENTER TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT DETAILING ITS FINDINGS TO THE 2001 LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The Mississippi Teacher Center of the State Department or Education shall conduct a study on the recruitment of African-American teachers for the purpose of identifying factors that have a negative impact on the number of African-Americans in the teaching profession and exploring various means to increase the number of African-Americans in licensed teaching positions. The study shall include, but not be limited to, the following components:

(a) A statement of the number of African-Americans holding licensed teaching positions compared to the total number of licensed teachers in Mississippi;

(b) An analysis of the affect of various factors on the number of African-American teachers, including: state demographics; admission requirements to teacher education programs in the state; teacher licensing requirements; teachers' salaries; and any other influences deemed pertinent by the Mississippi Teacher Center;

(c) Recommendations for a minority recruiting program that exposes African-American students at the grade school level to the idea of a career in teaching;

(d) Recommendations for a program that would encourage African-American assistant teachers to become licensed teachers; and

(e) Recommendations for an effective process for hiring and retaining African-American licensed teachers, from within state and out of state, and persons who exhibit potential for a career in teaching.

Before January 10, 2001, the Mississippi Teacher Center shall submit a written report detailing the results of its study and recommending any legislation necessary for the implementation of its proposals to the Legislature.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.