Guidance on Literacy Requirement for Elementary Education Licensure

A new Three-Year Entry-Level License in Elementary Education has been established to support candidates who have been previously or are currently admitted to a Mississippi State Board of Education–approved Educator Preparation Program.

Licensure Requirements:

1. Completion of a four-year Elementary Education degree from a Mississippi institution that leads to licensure.
2. Meet one of the following: 21 ACT score (or SAT equivalent), passing Praxis Core score, or 3.0 GPA on your last 60 hours of coursework.
3. Successful completion of the required Praxis Subject Area and Principles of Learning and Teaching Assessments.
4. Attempt the Foundations of Reading assessment.
   If unsuccessful, candidates may complete the Pathways to Proficient Reading course with a score of at least 80% during the three-year period. Upon completion, the license may be converted to a Standard Five-Year License. Candidates who pass the Foundations of Reading may proceed directly to the standard license.

Non-traditional certification pathways for the Elementary Education (4-6, K-6) options include the Master of Arts and Teaching, Mississippi Teacher Residency, and iteach Mississippi programs.

Program Entrance Requirements:

1. Hold a non-education bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
2. Meet one of the following: 21 ACT score (or SAT equivalent), passing Praxis Core score, or 3.0 GPA overall or on your last 60 hours of college coursework
3. *Pass the Praxis Subject Assessment

Licensure Requirements:

1. Complete the State Board-approved alternate route program requirements for a three-year entry-level license through one of the following:
   • Master of Arts in Teaching
   • iteach
   • Mississippi Teacher Residency – Educator Preparation
2. Attempt the Foundations of Reading assessment.
   If unsuccessful, candidates may complete the Pathways to Proficient Reading course with a score of at least 80% during the three-year period. Upon completion, the license may be converted to a Standard Five-Year License.
3. Complete the remaining State Board-approved alternate route program requirements of the chosen program to convert to a standard license.

*For Mississippi Teacher Residency (MTR) program completers, the Praxis Subject Assessment shall be required only as a condition of standard licensure and shall not be used as a criterion for program admission.

Licensed educators who wish to add Elementary Education (K–6) as a supplemental endorsement may do so under the following criteria:

Requirements:

Hold a valid Five (5)-Year Standard License in another endorsement area;

• Have a minimum of three (3) years of successful teaching experience; and
• Complete the supplemental endorsement program of coursework through a Mississippi State Board of Education-approved Educator Preparation Provider; and
• Meet the literacy requirement by completing one of the following options:
  1. A passing score on the Foundations of Reading assessment, or
  2. An attempt at the Foundations of Reading assessment and successful completion of Pathways to Proficient Reading with a minimum score of 80%.

A Mississippi State Board of Education-approved Educator Preparation Provider must recommend educators who meet these requirements for the Elementary Education (K–6) endorsement to be added to their existing standard license.

With a recommendation from a Mississippi State Board of Education–approved Educator Preparation Provider, candidates previously unconditionally admitted to an approved program may meet the revised requirements as follows:

• Traditional Program Candidates: Those who have attempted the Foundations of Reading and met all other prerequisites may qualify for the Three-Year Entry-Level License.
• Previously admitted Master of Arts in Teaching Candidates: May qualify for
  • A second and final three-year alternate route internship license, or
  • A one-time, one-year extension, if re-admitted and employed in a teaching position.
• Resident Teacher License: May be extended or reissued upon re-admission to a Mississippi Teacher Residency (MTR) program.

Districts may use documented progress in Pathways to Proficient Reading as evidence toward certification when requesting:

• Year-Two or Year-Three Special Non-Renewable Licenses, or
• Veteran Teacher Licenses.