AN ACT TO CREATE THE "COMPREHENSIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION REFORM (CCATER) ACT"; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-15-38, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; 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 AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED BY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN STUDENTS TO TAKE THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT IS ADMINISTERED IN THE NINTH, TENTH OR ELEVENTH GRADE; TO PROVIDE THE CURRICULUM THAT MAY BE INCLUDED IN CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAYS; 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 AN EXPERT CITIZEN-TEACHER LICENSE; TO EXPAND THE EXPERT CITIZEN-TEACHER LICENSE FROM ONE YEAR TO FIVE YEARS; 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
As Passed by the House: 37-15-38, 37-16-17, 37-3-2, 37-16-3, 37-17-6