MS SB2277

Increases the minimum salary for assistant teachers from $12,500 to $16,500 annually, effective for the 2016-2017 school year and thereafter

Maintains existing requirements that school districts employ assistant teachers in kindergarten and grades 1-3 to assist with instruction under the supervision of licensed teachers

Requires school districts to submit reading improvement plans and educational accountability assessments as conditions for receiving assistant teacher funding

Allows school districts to use assistant teacher funding to employ licensed teachers instead, provided the action reduces the teacher-to-student ratio in grades K-3

Takes effect July 1, 2016