TITLE

Mississippi Alternate Path to Quality Teachers

HISTORY

The Office of Teacher Certification analyzes applicant transcripts and makes evaluations, compared to requirements in various areas of certification.

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree, meet required Praxis I scores, and pass the Praxis II Specialty Area test within a specified amount of time.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREAS COVERED

Limited to these 18 areas:

Art Education
Biology
Business
Chemistry
English
French
German
Home Economics
Marketing
Mathematics
Music
Physical Education
Physics
Social Studies
Spanish
Special Education (grades 7-12 only)
Speech Communication
Technology Education

WHO OPERATES

Mississippi State Department of Education.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER PROGRAM

A candidate for this license must have a bachelor's degree (non-education) from a regionally/nationally accredited institution of higher learning.

Individuals who graduated from college 7 years or more ago must have a minimum 2.0 overall grade point average.

Individuals who graduated from college less than 7 years ago must have a minimum 2.5 overall grade point average or a 2.75 grade point average in their major.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Attain passing scores on the Praxis I and the Praxis II Specialty Area Test in the subject to be taught, or provide a score that is within one standard error of measurement of the passing score.

Complete the Teach Mississippi Training Institute, a two- or three-week session that introduces new teachers to the profession by providing training and hands-on field experiences.

Complete new teacher practicums, new teacher training models, and a local school district evaluation during the first year of employment. (Note: The local school district should provide an intensive induction program and provide a mentor for the new teacher.)

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

N/A.

WHO OPERATES

Mississippi State Department of Education.

LENGTH OF TIME

Teachers who pass the Praxis II Specialty Area Test at the end of the third year will be issued a Standard Five-Year License.