HB 994 — Teacher licensure; revise qualifications for candidates to enter an approved teacher education program.

HB 994 (As Introduced)Passed the House) - 2020 Regular Session MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE Regular Session To:

Representatives Roberson, Paden, Dortch, Johnson, Hines, Clark, Foster, Gibbs (72nd), Hudson, Karriem, Mickens, Anthony House Bill 994 (As Passed the House) AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEACHER CANDIDATES TO GAIN ENTRY INTO APPROVED TEACHER EDUCATOR PROGRAMS;

                   1.  AAn composite ACT score of twenty-one (21) * * * ACT (or SAT Equivalent); * * *orEquivalent);                    2.  Achieve the * * *nationally recommended qualifying passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination as established by the State Board of Education; * * *and or                     * * *2.  No less than 3.  A minimum 2.75 GPA on pre-major coursework * * * of the institution's approved teacher education program provided that the accepted cohort of candidates meets or exceeds a 3.0 GPA on pre‑major coursework.

or                    2.  Achieve the * * *nationally recommended qualifying passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination as established by the State Board of Education; * * *and or                     * * *2.  No less than 3.  A minimum 2.75 GPA on pre-major coursework * * * of the institution's approved teacher education program provided that the accepted cohort of candidates meets or exceeds a 3.0 GPA on pre‑major coursework.

                            (i)  A composite ACT score of twenty-one (21) * * *ACT (or SAT Equivalent); * * *orEquivalent);               (ii)  Achieve the * * *nationally recommended qualifying passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination as established by the State Board of Education; * * *and or               ( * * *iiiii)  * * *No less than A minimum 2.75 GPA * * *on content coursework in the requested area of certification or passing Praxis II scores at or above the national recommended score provided that the accepted cohort of candidates of the institution's teacher education program meets or exceeds a 3.0 GPA on pre-major coursework.

    or Beginning              January(ii)  1, * * *2004Achieve 2020,the * * *nationally anrecommended individual who has achieved a qualifying passing score on the Praxis * * *IPraxis Basic Skills Core Academic Skills for Educators,Educators orexamination aas compositeestablished ACTby scorethe State Board of twenty-oneEducation; * * *and (21)or (or              SAT( * * *iiiii) Equivalent), * * *No orless maintainedthan aA minimum cumulative 2.75 GPAGPA * * *on oncontent pre-major coursework and Praxis * * *II Specialty Area Test Subject Assessment in the requested area of endorsementcertification mayor applypassing forPraxis theII Teachscores Mississippiat Instituteor (TMI)above programthe tonational teachrecommended studentsscore inprovided Gradesthat 7 through 12 if the individualaccepted meetscohort the requirements of thiscandidates paragraph (b).  The State Board of Educationthe shallinstitution's adopt rules requiring that teacher preparationeducation institutions which provide the Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) program formeets theor preparationexceeds ofa nontraditional3.0 teachersGPA shallon meetpre-major thecoursework. standards and comply with the provisions of this paragraph.

     Beginning January 1, * * *2004 2020, an individual who has achieved a qualifying passing score on the Praxis * * *I Basic Skills Core Academic Skills for Educators, or an ACT score of twenty-one (21) (or SAT Equivalent), or maintained a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA on pre-major coursework and Praxis * * *II Specialty Area Test Subject Assessment in the requested area of endorsement may apply for the Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) program to teach students in Grades 7 through 12 if the individual meets the requirements of this paragraph (b).  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules requiring that teacher preparation institutions which provide the Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) program for the preparation of nontraditional teachers shall meet the standards and comply with the provisions of this paragraph.

     (9)  Renewal and Reinstatement of Licenses.Licenses.  The State Board of Education is authorized to establish rules and regulations for the renewal and reinstatement of educator and administrator licenses.  Effective May 15, 1997, the valid standard license held by an educator shall be extended five (5) years beyond the expiration date of the license in order to afford the educator adequate time to fulfill new renewal requirements established pursuant to this subsection.  An educator completing a master of education, educational specialist or doctor of education degree in May 1997 for the purpose of upgrading the educator's license to a higher class shall be given this extension of five (5) years plus five (5) additional years for completion of a higher degree.

 The State Board of Education is authorized to establish rules and regulations for the renewal and reinstatement of educator and administrator licenses.  Effective May 15, 1997, the valid standard license held by an educator shall be extended five (5) years beyond the expiration date of the license in order to afford the educator adequate time to fulfill new renewal requirements established pursuant to this subsection.  An educator completing a master of education, educational specialist or doctor of education degree in May 1997 for the purpose of upgrading the educator's license to a higher class shall be given this extension of five (5) years plus five (5) additional years for completion of a higher degree.

                            (ii)  The applicant has a physical, emotional or mental disability that renders the applicant unfit to perform the duties authorized by the license, as certified by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist;

                            (vii)  The applicant or licensee is on probation or post-release supervision for a felony or conviction, as defined by federal or state law.  However, this disqualification expires upon the end of the probationary or post-release supervision period.

          (g)(g)   TheThe license holder served as superintendent or principal in a school district during the time preceding and/or that resulted in the Governor declaring a state of emergency and the State Board of Education appointing a conservator;