MS HB849

Amends Section 37-153-7 to revise the Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board membership from a flexible number to 31 voting members, with majority representation from business and industry in compliance with federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act requirements.

Creates the "Comprehensive Career and Technical Education Reform (CCATER) Act" requiring all students to take the ACT WorkKeys Assessment (with districts determining whether administered in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade) and revises career and technical education curriculum requirements including soft skills, technical writing, computer programming, and personal finance.

Modifies teacher licensing requirements to allow local business professionals to obtain five-year expert citizen-teacher licenses without requiring associate or bachelor's degrees (only high school diploma and five years experience required), and grants standard licenses to teachers with five years of employment in accredited schools.

Requires educator preparation programs to include Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination and Praxis II examination preparatory review courses as part of curriculum beginning 2021-2022 academic year.

Incorporates ACT WorkKeys Assessment student performance into the school accreditation system, weighted equally with standard ACT Assessment results for college and career readiness accountability ratings.