MS SB2571

Effective July 1, 2020, teacher candidates must meet one of three criteria to enter an approved teacher education program: composite ACT score of 21 (or SAT equivalent), passing score on Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination, or minimum 3.0 GPA on pre-admission coursework.

Same entrance requirements apply to nontraditional teaching route candidates seeking licensure under the Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) program for grades 7-12.

Establishes an Office of Educator Misconduct Evaluations within the State Department of Education to handle infractions, violations, and hearings related to educator misconduct and the Mississippi Educator Code of Ethics.

Maintains existing educator licensure categories including Standard License - Approved Program Route (5-year renewable license), Standard License - Nontraditional Teaching Route, Special Licenses (Expert Citizen, Transitional Bilingual Education), and Administrator licenses at various levels.

Specifies grounds for denying, revoking, or suspending licenses, including felony convictions, sex offenses, drug addiction, fraud, and unethical educator-student relationships.