What is required for a traditional teacher education route license? Why would a district request a special, non-renewable license for traditional teacher

GUIDELINES FOR MISSISSIPPI EDUCATOR LICENSURE K-12

MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DIVISION OF EDUCATOR LICENSURE

359 NORTH WEST STREET JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39201

RAYMOND C. MORGIGNO, PH.D. INTERIM STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION

DECEMBER 2023

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INTRODUCTION

The Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development was created under the Mississippi Education Reform Act of 1982 and is charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the State Board of Education regarding standards for the preparation, licensure, and continuing professional development of those who teach or perform tasks of an educational nature in the public schools of the State of Mississippi. In compliance with Miss. Code Ann. §37-3-2, as amended by Mississippi Laws 1997, Ch. 545, the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development and the State Board of Education have approved guidelines for licensure. This manual contains information necessary to understand the licensure processes, class levels of licensure, and pathways to licensure. Proper use of this manual should provide answers to most, if not all, general and specific questions related to educator licensure in the State of Mississippi. The Division of Educator Licensure is the sole program office within the Mississippi Department of Education authorized to issue licenses and to implement Mississippi’s laws and policies adopted by the Mississippi State Board of Education relating to the licensing of teachers, instructional support personnel, and administrators for preschool through Grade 12 (P-12). Policies, rules, standards, directives, and memoranda written prior to this version of the manual are invalid and shall not be used to determine the application of these guidelines unless otherwise noted herein. Applicants for educator licensure shall meet all requirements for the selected approach in effect on the date the complete application is received in the Division of Educator Licensure.

NOTE: The full document may be accessed and downloaded through the Internet via the

following web address: https://www.mdek12.org/licensure

Division of Educator Licensure Division Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: 601-359-3483 Customer Service Representatives Available 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Web: https://www.mdek12.org/OEL Email: [email protected] Office: Division of Educator Licensure 359 N. West Street P. O. Box 771 Jackson, MS 39205-0771

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Table of Contents GENERAL GUIDELINES ………………………………………………………………………………… 5 APPLICATION PROCESS …………………………………………………………………………….. 13

Verification of Lawful Presence 13 MISSISSIPPI LICENSES ……………………………………………………………………………….. 14 PRE-SERVICE TEACHER LICENSE ……………………………………………………………. 15 RESIDENT TEACHER LICENSE ………………………………………………………………….. 17 FIVE YEAR EDUCATOR LICENSE – TRADITIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION ROUTE ……………………………………………………………………………………. 20 FIVE YEAR EDUCATOR LICENSE – TRADITIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION ROUTE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION …………………………………… 22 FIVE YEAR ADMINISTRATOR LICENSE APPROVED PROGRAM ROUTE 24 FIVE YEAR ADMINISTRATOR LICENSE – ALTERNATE ROUTE ……………. 27 FIVE YEAR ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR LICENSE APPROVED PROGRAM ROUTE (495)………………………………………………………………………………. 28 MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION …………………………………………… 29 ALTERNATIVE QUALIFICATION FOR PROSPECTIVE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION ………………………………………………………….. 29 THREE YEAR ALTERNATE ROUTE LICENSE TEACH MISSISSIPPI INSTITUTE ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 30 THREE YEAR ALTERNATE ROUTE LICENSE MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31 Master of Arts in Teaching Three-Year Alternate Route License Elementary Education (4-6) Certification Class A License ………………………………………………….. 32 Elementary Education (K-6) Class AA license ………………………………………………….. 32 Mild/Moderate (7-12) Certification Class A License …………………………………………. 35 Mild/ Moderate (K-12) Class AA License …………………………………………………………. 35 AMERICAN BOARD CERTIFICATION ……………………………………………………….. 38 FIVE YEAR EDUCATOR LICENSE – ALTERNATE ROUTE ……………………….. 39 FIVE YEAR EDUCATOR LICENSE RECIPROCITY ……………………………………. 41 THREE YEAR EDUCATOR LICENSE JROTC INSTRUCTOR ……………………. 43 DISTRICT REQUESTED LICENSES …………………………………………………………….. 43 ONE-YEAR CERTIFICATION: TEACHERS TEACHING OUT-OF-FIELD … 44 MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION …………………………………………… 45 SPECIAL, NON-RENEWABLE LICENSE FOR TRADITIONAL TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM COMPLETERS ……………………………………………….. 45 SPECIAL, NON-RENEWABLE LICENSE FOR PROSPECTIVE NON- TRADITIONAL TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM COMPLETERS …… 47 SPECIAL LICENSE, ADJUNCT TEACHER LICENSE …………………………………. 51 SPECIAL LICENSE, EXPERT CITIZEN – TEACHER LICENSE …………………. 54 PERFORMANCE-BASED TEACHER LICENSE …………………………………………… 55 CHILD DEVELOPMENT (Pre K – K) (153)……………………………………………………. 58 FIVE YEAR EDUCATOR LICENSE ……………………………………………………………… 59 PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR (436) …………………………………………… 60 LIBRARY/MEDIA (440)…………………………………………………………………………………. 61

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FIVE YEAR EDUCATOR LICENSE- PERFORMANCE ARTS ……………………… 62 (Dance 121, Drama 123, Music 125, or Visual Arts 127)……………………………………. 62 PSYCHOMETRIST (213) ……………………………………………………………………………….. 64 SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST (451) ………………………………………………………………….. 65 SPEECH/LANGUAGE CLINICIAN (215) ………………………………………………………. 66 SPEECH ASSOCIATE (216) …………………………………………………………………………… 67 SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR LICENSE (420) …………………………….. 68 SPECIAL EDUCATION/BIRTH TO KINDERGARTEN (211) ……………………….. 69 (EARLY INTERVENTION)……………………………………………………………………………. 69 SPECIAL EDUCATION – MILD/MODERATE DISABILITY K-12 (221) ……….. 71 EMOTIONAL DISABILITY (206) ………………………………………………………………….. 74 DYSLEXIA THERAPY (203) ………………………………………………………………………….. 75 AUDIOLOGIST (202) …………………………………………………………………………………….. 76 EARLY ORAL INTERVENTION (209) ………………………………………………………….. 77 THREE YEAR CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATOR LICENSE FOR NON- EDUCATION DEGREE APPLICANTS ………………………………………………………….. 78 FIVE YEAR CAREER TECHNICAL LICENSE FOR NON-EDUCATION DEGREE APPLICANTS ………………………………………………………………………………… 80 FIVE YEAR LICENSE – REINSTATEMENT ………………………………………………… 82 Supplemental Endorsements that may be Added to a Three-Year or Five-Year License by Praxis Subject Assessment ……………………………………………………………… 84 Supplemental Endorsements that may be Added to a Three-Year or Five-Year License by Completion of an Approved Program …………………………………………….. 85 (Institutional Program Verification required) ………………………………………………….. 85 Supplemental Endorsements that may be Added to a Three-Year or Five-Year License with Eighteen (18) Hours of Coursework in Subject Area…………………….. 86 405 Business Management ……………………………………………………………………………… 88 411 Business Technology ………………………………………………………………………………… 89 TEACHER LEADERSHIP ……………………………………………………………………………… 91 PRAXIS SUBJECT ASSESSMENT SCORES REQUIRED BY MISSISSIPPI …. 92 DISCONTINUED TEST AND/OR ADJUSTED SCORE POLICY …………………… 93 PRAXIS CORE, ACT/SAT, & PRAXIS PLT PASSING SCORES …………………… 95 PRAXIS TEST CENTERS IN MISSISSIPPI …………………………………………………… 97 Mississippi State Board Approved Licensure Endorsement Codes ……………………. 98 ADVANCE PLACEMENT (AP) ……………………………………………………………………. 100 MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ………………………………………… 101

STATE SUPPORTED FOUR YEAR INSTITUTIONS ……………………………. 101 INDEPENDENT FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS ……………………………………. 102

ALTERNATE ROUTE TEACHER LICENSURE PROGRAMS ……………………. 105 Master of Arts in Teaching ……………………………………………………………………………. 105 Teach Mississippi Institute …………………………………………………………………………….. 106 American Board Certification for Teacher Excellence Passport to Teaching …… 107 FIVE YEAR ADMINISTRATOR LICENSE – ALTERNATE ROUTE ………….. 108 GLOSSARY………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 109

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Validity Periods Licenses will be valid from the day the completed application packet is received and validated by the Division of Educator Licensure. Therefore, the license will be dated based on the date the final required document for the license sought, has been received and validated by the Division of Educator Licensure. All licenses expire on June 30th of the year of expiration. The twelve-month period representing a school year is defined as beginning July 1 and ending June 30. A five-year license issued at any time during the school year shall be valid for five (5) school years including the school year in which it is granted. For example, a standard license issued January 2019, (2018-2019 school year), would be valid from the date the completed packet is received until June 30, 2023. The remainder of the 2018- 2019 school year is considered a full year. Renewal of License Only a five-year, standard license is eligible for renewal. Current requirements for renewal of a five-year standard license for each class level are as follows: Class A: Ten (10) continuing education units (CEU’s), or appropriate number of contact hours, or clock hours in content or job/skill related area

OR Three (3) semester hours in content or job/skill related area AND Five (5) continuing education units (CEU’s), or appropriate number of contact hours, or clock hours in content or job/skill related area

OR Six (6) semester hours in content or job/skill related area

OR Completion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards process

OR Official documentation of retirement from service in Mississippi public schools (Official letter shall be obtained from the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi by calling 1-800- 444-7377). Documentation for use of this option shall only be submitted for renewal during the final year of the valid license. The official letter must bear a date that reflects the current year the documentation is submitted for licensure renewal.

OR Valid standard out-of-state license submitted for renewal during the final year of the valid standard Mississippi license. Class AA, AAA or AAAA: Three (3) semester hours in content or job/skill related area

OR Five (5) continuing education units (CEU’s), or appropriate number of contact hours, or clock hours in content or job/skill related area

OR

GENERAL GUIDELINES MISSISSIPPI EDUCATOR LICENSURE

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Completion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards process OR

Official documentation of retirement from service in Mississippi public schools (Official letter shall be obtained from the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi by calling 1-800- 444-7377). Documentation for use of this option shall only be submitted for renewal during the final year of the valid license. The official letter must bear a date that reflects the current year the documentation is submitted for licensure renewal.

OR Valid standard out-of-state license submitted for renewal during the final year of the valid standard Mississippi license. Standard Career Level Administrator: Seventy (70) School Executive Management Institute (SEMI) credits

OR Six (6) hours of coursework

OR 35 SEMI credits AND 3 hours coursework

OR Completion of a specialist or doctoral degree in educational administration/leadership

OR Official documentation of retirement from service in Mississippi public schools (Official letter shall be obtained from the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi by calling 1-800- 444-7377). Documentation for use of this option shall only be submitted for renewal during the final year of the valid license. The official letter must bear a date that reflects the current year the documentation is submitted for licensure renewal.

OR Valid standard out-of-state license submitted for renewal during the final year of the valid standard Mississippi license. When all requirements are completed, college transcripts for all coursework completed and/or original professional learning certificate(s) bearing the appropriate number of continuing education unit (CEU), contact hours, or clock hours may be submitted for license renewal. The college credit courses may be completed on the undergraduate or graduate level with a grade of “C” or higher at regionally/nationally accredited senior colleges, universities, or community colleges. Official academic transcripts must be submitted directly to the Division of Educator Licensure by the university or college electronically in a secure electronic format via National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, or any other transcript exchange service provider. The license may be renewed for one five-year period beyond the present expiration date. Only credits earned within the renewal cycle indicated on the educator’s official Mississippi educator license may be used for licensure renewal.

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Renewal requirements referencing content area courses refer to the area of endorsement (e.g., mathematics, science, special education, etc.). References to job/skill related area include pedagogy and skills for effective teaching and leadership (e.g., computer technology, cooperative learning, learning styles, methodology, etc.). The Mississippi Department of Education no longer approves programs for professional learning credit. School districts, organizations, or individuals wishing to prepare and offer a program for professional learning credit must submit an application to an accredited professional learning credit granting agency. Any Continuing Education Office at a college, university, or community/junior college is an accredited professional learning credit granting agency. Once programs are approved, they may be offered, and certificates will be issued to successful participants by the approving agency. Ten contact or clock hours of professional learning is equal to one CEU credit. Official verification of professional learning credit(s) must be submitted to verify completion of the appropriate number of professional learning credit(s) for licensure renewal. Professional learning credit(s) may be submitted as CEU(s), clock hours, or contact hours. Professional learning credit(s) earned through a professional learning provider approved by a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education, the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and those credits earned through Professional Associations such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), etc., are accepted for licensure renewal. Professional learning activities awarded by other nationally recognized professional associations must be in the instructional support personnel licensure content area(s) listed on the Mississippi issued standard renewable license held by the educator seeking renewal. Official documentation of professional learning credit(s) must be submitted to verify completion of the appropriate number of CEU(s), clock hours, or contact hours. All professional learning credit(s) must be in content or job/skill related area. For a list of CEU professional learning providers, go to: https://www.mdek12.org/OEL/Renew-or-Reinstate-My-License. Please note that the list referenced herein is not intended to be all inclusive rather, it is to be viewed as a starting point for access to professional learning.

Educators can complete and submit an application for licensure renewal and upload a PDF copy of the original CEU certificates and/or National Board documentation to be used for renewal via his/her educator licensure management account. If submitting documentation of coursework, official sealed copies of the applicant’s transcript(s) must be submitted electronically directly from the respective college/university to the Division of Educator Licensure. For instructions on this process, please visit: https://www.mdek12.org/OEL/Document-Submission.

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Document Submission All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted electronically through the educator’s assigned Mississippi Educator Career Continuum Archive system (MECCA) account. No documents should be submitted via postal mail. Licenses will be valid from the day the completed application packet is received and validated by the Division of Educator Licensure. A completed application packet includes the licensure application and all supporting documentation required for your requested license type. Applications that are submitted without supporting documents will be considered incomplete and the educator will be emailed a “requirements” letter stating which documents are needed to process the licensure request. Please review the Licensure Application Checklist to identify the documents required for obtaining licensure in your desired area of certification: https://www.mdek12.org/OEL/Licensure- Application-Checklist.

Transcripts must be submitted electronically directly from the institution and licensure test score reports directly from the appropriate testing company. All original documents to be used as part of the licensure application review process must be scanned and then uploaded to your MECCA system account as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, captured using the camera on your cellular device, or by utilizing free software applications available for download that are compatible with most smartphone models. When capturing a photograph of the document to be submitted, please be sure to remove any content and/or extra spacing that is not part of the document. This should be done prior to document upload to not obstruct access to information pertinent to reviewing and processing your licensure request.

All documents submitted to the Division of Educator Licensure become the property of the Mississippi Department of Education and will not be returned to the applicant, unless otherwise stated, nor will the Department provide copies of the documents to the applicant or third parties. Only the following documents will be duplicated and returned to the applicant if submission is required: Original – Out-of-state license, Professional Association Card, Marriage License, Birth Certificate, and Licensure Test Score Report. It is the responsibility of the educator to obtain copies of documents prior to submission to the Division of Educator Licensure. SPECIAL NOTE A grade of “C” or higher must be obtained on all coursework taken for renewal of license, reinstatement of license or the adding of supplemental endorsements. This includes all coursework outlined on planned programs required to convert a special license to a standard license. Acceptable Degrees or Coursework for Licensure The Division of Educator Licensure accepts degrees or coursework from any nationally or regionally accredited institution. An institution’s accreditation status can be verified using the United States Department of Education website (https://www.ed.gov/accreditation) or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation website (https://www.chea.org/). Section 37-3-2 of the Mississippi Code authorizes the Certification Commission and State Board of Education to approve all teacher preparation programs for any license in Mississippi. The Commission does not approve programs completed in other states. Licensure Preparation and Other Programs Completed Outside the State of Mississippi Prospective and practicing educators seeking to obtain initial licensure in the state of Mississippi by way of completion of a traditional state-approved or nationally accredited licensure-track teacher, administrator, certain supplemental service provider, and supplemental endorsement preparation program from a regionally/nationally accredited institution of higher education program outside of Mississippi, shall first obtain Institutional Program Verification (IPV) from the educator preparation provider in the state where the preparation occurred. Upon obtaining Institutional Program Verification (IPV) using the form established by the MDE Division of Educator Licensure, the candidate shall submit an application with required supporting documentation to the MDE Division of Educator Licensure for the purpose of determining eligibility to obtain a Mississippi license via guidelines in effect on the date the complete application is received by the MDE. Educators that complete a nontraditional licensure-track program outside of Mississippi shall first be licensed in another state and seek to obtain a Mississippi license via Reciprocity guidelines in effect on the date the complete application and required supporting documentation is received by the MDE.

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Degrees Earned Outside of the United States and Other Correspondence The applicant is responsible for having all transcripts representing degrees earned outside of the United States, as well as any other correspondence, translated and evaluated by an evaluation agency prior to submission of a licensure application to the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). Please submit a detailed course-by-course foreign credential evaluation report. Information regarding acceptable evaluation agencies may be accessed at www.naces.org (click on “Choose An Agency” to gain access to contact information for those listed as &#x2

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