SEC. 37-9-8. Certification and educational requirements for teachers and principals.

Recognizing teaching as a profession, preparation to teach in Mississippi Grades 7 through 12 shall require a major in an academic field other than education, or a combination of disciplines other than education. Students preparing to teach a subject shall complete a major in the respective subject discipline.

Certification to teach in Mississippi kindergarten through Grade 4 shall require the completion of an interdisciplinary program of studies. Certificates for Grades 4 through 8 shall require the completion of a program of studies with two (2) or more areas of concentration.

It shall be a requirement for any person to be certified as a teacher in Mississippi that the person meet and comply with the requirements set forth in the foregoing part of this section. In addition, the person applying for teacher certification must demonstrate that such person's college preparation in those fields was in accordance with the standards set forth by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).

Persons applying for certification as a teacher prior to July 1, 1996, shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.

Preparation to be a principal in elementary or secondary schools in Mississippi shall include an AA certificate in administration plus three (3) years actual teaching experience.

SOURCES: Laws, 1991, ch. 502, Sec. 2; 1993, ch. 602, Sec. 1; 1995, ch. 448, Sec. 2, eff from and after passage (approved March 21, 1995)

1997 Amendment:

Repealed.

SOURCE: 1997 Laws, Chapter 545, Sec 29, SB2512, Effective April 10, 1997.