Board approves I Teach Mississippi as educator-preparation provider; APA rulemaking to follow

The State Board voted Feb. 15 to approve I Teach Mississippi as an educator-preparation provider and to begin the Administrative Procedures Act process to amend licensure guidelines and define criteria for candidates in that pathway.

Dr. Murphy summarized an ad hoc committee's four recommendations to strengthen the original proposal: (1) the provider must meet state educator-preparation standards in the educator-preparation process and performance review guidelines; (2) the provider must receive annual approval to operate in the state; (3) candidates in the pathway must be assigned a Mississippi‑based field supervisor who holds a state-issued license; and (4) candidates must be assigned an effective mentor teacher during matriculation. Dr. Murphy said other program requirements will be equivalent to current pathways offered in the state.

Board members debated the item in subcommittee and at length at prior meetings; at this meeting the motion was made by Mr. Miller, seconded by Ms. Warner, and the board approved advancing the provider application and starting APA rulemaking. Staff said the APA process will define the licensure criteria and that annual approval will allow the board to reassess the provider each year.