AN ACT TO CREATE THE "COMPREHENSIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION REFORM (CCATER) ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 37-15-38, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT DUAL CREDIT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HOLD AN ASSOCIATE OR BACHELOR'S DEGREE; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO ALL INCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS OF THE CAREER TRACK PROGRAMS OFFERED BY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS; TO REQUIRE ALL STUDENTS IN THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TRACK TO TAKE THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT; TO REVISE THE CURRICULUM IN THE CAREER TRACK PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL BUSINESS OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HOLD AN ASSOCIATE OR BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN ORDER TO BE GRANTED A ONE-YEAR EXPERT CITIZEN-TEACHER LICENSE; TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF EMPLOYED BY A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT OR NONPUBLIC SCHOOL ACCREDITED OR APPROVED BY THE STATE FOR A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS SHALL BE GRANTED A STANDARD TEACHER LICENSE; TO REQUIRE SUCH TEACHERS TO COMPLY WITH ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING TEACHERS, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND COMPLETION OF THE REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-17-6, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE ACCREDITATION SYSTEM SHALL INCLUDE STUDENT PERFORMANCE ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT, WHICH SHALL BE WEIGHTED IN THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS THE STANDARD ACT ASSESSMENT; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ACTING THROUGH THE COMMISSION ON TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE AND DEVELOPMENT, AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, TO REQUIRE EACH EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM IN THE STATE TO INCLUDE A PRAXIS CORE ACADEMIC SKILLS FOR EDUCATORS EXAMINATION AND A PRAXIS II EXAMINATION PREPARATORY REVIEW COURSE, AS PART OF ITS CURRICULUM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 37-15-38, 37-16-17, 37-3-2, 37-16-3, 37-17-6
Committee Substitute: 37-15-38, 37-16-17, 37-3-2, 37-16-3, 37-17-6