MS HB1059

Removes the prescribed minimum ACT score of 21 and GPA of 3.0 requirements for entry into educator preparation programs, replacing them with "qualifying passing" scores and minimum GPAs to be established by the State Board of Education

Requires teacher candidates seeking licensure after July 1, 2022, to demonstrate subject matter competency through either a passing score on a content area assessment, or an attempted assessment combined with completion of an approved program and at least 3 years of relevant teaching experience with evidence of effectiveness

Expands the Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) nontraditional teacher licensure program from a limited pilot at four locations to any Educator Preparation Program (EPP) with State Board of Education approval

Increases the supervised internship requirement for nontraditional route teachers from a one-semester, three-hour internship to a two-semester, six-hour internship completed while employed as a full-time teacher intern

Replaces references to National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) with accreditation standards approved by the State Board of Education for educator preparation programs