View APA submissions in the Mississippi Administrative Bulletin on the Secretary of State’s website.
Office of Early Childhood Education
Office of Chief Academic Officer
On July 17, 2025, the State Board of Education (SBE) granted approval to begin the Administrative Procedures Act process to adopt the Grant Funded Program Quality Assessment for Classrooms Serving Four-Year-Old Children (2025)
Background Information: Grant Funded Program Quality Assessment for Classrooms Serving Four-Year-Old Children (2025) will provide information on the minimum requirements for grant funded pre-K programs serving four-year-old children in Mississippi.
Schools providing services to pre-kindergarten aged children receive an annual evaluation to ensure the effectiveness of services on improving children’s learning and well-being. Evaluation occurs for the Early Learning Collaboratives, State Invested Pre-K, Blended Pre-K, and Grant Funded Pre-K programs.
Please submit written comments to Dr. Jill Dent, Office of Early Childhood Education, 359 North West Street, Post Office Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. You may also submit comments in writing by email at jdent@mdek12.org.
All public comments must be received in the Office of Early Childhood no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 13, 2025. APA Comments will be presented to the SBE on August 21, 2025.
Office of Early Childhood Education
Office of Chief Academic Officer
On July 17, 2025, the State Board of Education (SBE) granted approval to begin the Administrative Procedures Act process to revise the Mississippi Early Learning Guidelines for Classrooms Serving Three and Four-Year-Old Children (2025)
Background Information: Mississippi Early Learning Guidelines for Classrooms Serving Three- and Four-Year-Old Children (2025) will provide updated information on the minimum requirements and recommendations for the operation of public school three and four-year-old programs in Mississippi.
This revision deletes the Program Quality Assessment section for Grant Funded programs. There will be a new policy for Grant Funded Program Quality Assessment created as a stand alone document to make it easier to adjust with assessment changes.
The sections in the guide covers the following components:
Section I: Requirements for Voluntary Enrollment
Section II: Curriculum, Materials, and Assessment
Section III: Organizational Procedures and Staff
Section IV: Family Engagement and Transportation
Section V: Physical Settings and Outside Play
Please submit written comments to Dr. Jill Dent, Office of Early Childhood Education, 359 North West Street, Post Office Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. You may also submit comments in writing by email at jdent@mdek12.org.
All public comments must be received in the Office of Early Childhood no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 13, 2025. APA Comments will be presented to the SBE on August 21, 2025.
Division of Secondary Education
Office of Chief Academic Officer
On July 17, 2025, the State Board of Education (SBE) granted approval of temporary rule and to begin the Administrative Procedures Act process to approve the Bridge to Career Curriculum that provides standards and resources for the portfolio and exhibit option for meeting End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment Requirements
Background Information: On April 17, 2025, the State Board of Education approved the revision to the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards, 2024, Appendix A-5 – Additional Assessment Options for Meeting EOC Assessment Requirements. This revision approved the creation of a portfolio and exhibit option for students who do not obtain a passing score on one or more EOC assessments. This option, the Bridge to Career Course, is designed to foster real-world skills and promote personal growth and supports students in building credentials and experiences that prepare them for success in the workforce, post-secondary education, and life beyond high school. The curriculum includes four specific units including career exploration and workplace readiness, career documents and interview preparation, portfolio development and exhibit creation and presentation, along with credential programs and scoring rubrics to ensure consistency of course implementation throughout the state.
The temporary rule and final action are necessary to implement the curriculum immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.113(2)(b)(ii).
The proposed curriculum is available for public comment and review via the MDE APA Notice Website and the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Administrative Bulletin. To locate the filing documents on the Secretary of State website, select “Title 7 – Department of Education” in the Agency Search dropdown menu.
Please submit written comments to Ma’Kesha Adams, Office of Curriculum and Instruction, 359 North West Street, Post Office Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. You may also submit comments in writing by email at secondaryeducation@mdek12.org.
All public comments must be received in the Division of Secondary Education no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 16, 2025. APA Comments will be presented to the SBE on August 21, 2025.
Division of Secondary Education
Office of Chief Academic Officer
Proposed revision of State Board Policy Chapter 36, Rule 36.5 -Additional Assessment Options for Meeting End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment Requirements
On July 17, 2025, the State Board of Education (SBE) granted approval of temporary rule and to begin the Administrative Procedures Act process to revise State Board Policy Chapter 36, Rule 36.5 – Additional Assessment Options for Meeting End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment Requirements
Background Information: On April 17, 2025, the State Board of Education approved the revision to the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards, 2024, Appendix A-5 – Additional Assessment Options for Meeting EOC Assessment Requirements. This revision approved the creation of an additional exhibit portfolio option for qualifying second semester seniors or fifth year seniors from the Class of 2025 who do not obtain a passing score on one or more EOC assessments. This option, the Bridge to Career Course, will provide students with an opportunity to explore and experience career opportunities that will assist in the transition to post-secondary.
On June 3, 2025, the Commission on School Accreditation (CSA) approved the request for the State Board of Education to begin the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) process to revise State Board Policy Chapter 36, Rule 36.5 to include the portfolio and exhibit option in lieu of meeting the EOC Assessment requirement.
The temporary rule and final action are necessary to implement the policy revisions immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.113(2)(b)(ii).
The revised policy is available for public comment and review via the MDE APA Notice Website and the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Administrative Bulletin. To locate the filing documents on the Secretary of State website, select “Title 7 – Department of Education” in the Agency Search dropdown menu.
Please submit written comments to Ma’Kesha Adams, Office of Curriculum and Instruction, 359 North West Street, Post Office Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. You may also submit comments in writing by email at secondaryeducation@mdek12.org.
All public comments must be received in the Division of Secondary Education no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 16, 2025. APA Comments will be presented to the SBE on August 21, 2025.
Division of Accreditation
Office of Chief Accountability Officer
On June 19, 2025, the State Board of Education (SBE) granted approval to begin the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) process to revise the Mississippi Nonpublic School Accountability Standards, 2024, specifically, Process Standards 2, 24, 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, and 24.4, and the Glossary and to establish Process Standards 24.7 and 24.8
Background Information: As part of the MS Student Funding Formula (MSFF) enacted by the MS Legislature in July 2024, Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-77, mandating specific student-teacher ratios in Mississippi classrooms was repealed. As part of the MSFF that became effective July 2024, Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-213 was enacted and provides the Commission on School Accreditation the authority to establish student-teacher ratios and the State Board of Education the authority to approve or disapprove of waiver requests of established ratios submitted by local districts. On June 5, 2025, the Commission on School Accreditation met and unanimously approved proposed revisions to the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards, 2024. The proposed revisions to the Mississippi Nonpublic School Accountability Standards, 2024 align with the proposed revisions to the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards, 2024, and the waiver request process outlined in State Board Policy Chapter 19, Rule 19.1 and beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
Please submit written comments to Dr. Jo Ann Malone, Office of Accreditation, 359 North West Street, Post Office Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. You may also submit comments in writing by email at accreditation@mdek12.org.
All public comments must be received in the Office of Accreditation no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 21, 2025. APA Comments will be presented to the SBE on August 21, 2025.
Division of Accreditation
Office of Chief Accountability Officer
On June 19, 2025, the State Board of Education (SBE) granted approval to begin the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) process to revise the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards, 2024, specifically, Process Standards 2, 28.1, 28.2, 28.3, and 28.4, and the Glossary and to establish Process Standards 28.6 and 28.7
Background Information: As part of the MS Student Funding Formula (MSFF) enacted by the MS Legislature in July 2024, Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-77, mandating specific student-teacher ratios in Mississippi classrooms was repealed. As part of the MSFF that became effective July 2024, Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-213 was enacted and provides the Commission on School Accreditation the authority to establish student-teacher ratios and the State Board of Education the authority to approve or disapprove of waiver requests of established ratios submitted by local districts. On June 5, 2025, the Commission on School Accreditation met and approved the proposed revisions that will help clarify the student-teacher ratios in the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards, 2024, and the waiver request process outlined in State Board Policy Chapter 19, Rule 19.1 and beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
Please submit written comments to Dr. Jo Ann Malone, Office of Accreditation, 359 North West Street, Post Office Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. You may also submit comments in writing by email at accreditation@mdek12.org.
All public comments must be received in the Office of Accreditation no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 21, 2025. APA Comments will be presented to the SBE on August 21, 2025.
Division of Educator Licensure
Office of Chief Accountability Officer
Proposed revision of Miss. Admin. Code 7-4: Part 4: Licensure Guidelines K-12
On April 17, 2025, the State Board of Education (SBE) granted approval of a temporary rule and to begin the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) process to revise Miss. Admin. Code 7 – 4: Part 4: Licensure Guidelines K-12 to remove references to and associated requirements related to the Highly Qualified Teacher Status as formerly defined and required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
Background Information: In accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-2, the purpose and duty of the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development (Licensure Commission) is to make recommendations to the Mississippi Board of Education regarding standards for the certification, licensure, and continuing professional development of individuals who teach or perform educational tasks in Mississippi’s public schools.
Therefore, on June 3, 2025, during a special-called meeting, the members of the Licensure Commission granted approval to petition the Mississippi State Board of Education to consider approving a temporary rule and to begin the Administrative Procedures Act process to remove from the Licensure Guidelines, references to and associated requirements related to the Highly Qualified Teacher Status as formerly defined and required by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 which was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015.
The NCLB aimed to improve public education by holding schools, districts, and states accountable for student performance. A key requirement of NCLB was that teachers providing direct instruction and assigning grades to students in core academic subjects be considered “highly qualified.”
In 2015, ESSA replaced significant portions of NCLB. While ESSA maintained the requirement for standardized testing, it provided greater flexibility in how tests are administered and how teachers are evaluated. Notably, ESSA eliminated the federal requirement for teachers to meet the “highly qualified” teacher standard.
In essence, ESSA shifted from the NCLB’s focus on qualifications to that of educator effectiveness which harnesses a focus on a teacher’s ability to positively impact student growth and achievement.
The temporary rule and final action are necessary to implement the policy revisions immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.113(2)(b)(ii). See also Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.108. For a rule to become effective immediately upon its filing, the Board is required to make a finding that the rule only confers a benefit or removes a restriction on the public or some segment thereof.
Please submit written comments to Dr. Cory Murphy, Office of Teaching and Leading, 359 North West Street, Post Office Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. You may also submit comments in writing by email at (licensure@mdek12.org).
All public comments must be received in the Division of Educator Licensure no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 21, 2025. APA Comments will be presented to the SBE on August 21, 2025.
Division of Educator Licensure
Office of Chief Accountability Officer
Proposed revision of Title 7 Miss. Admin. Code Part 142: Career and Technical Education Licensure Guidelines K-12
On June 19, 2025, the State Board of Education (SBE) granted approval to begin the Administrative Procedures Act process: To revise Title 7 of the Miss. Admin. Code: Part 142: Career and Technical Education (CTE) Licensure Guidelines K-12: To revise the “Special Notes” section to include a sixth (6th) “Special Note” that would establish criteria for obtaining certain Career and Technical Education (CTE) License types after an Initial Standard Renewable CTE License has been Granted: These Criteria will be referenced as applicable throughout the Official CTE Guidelines Document and shall Only Apply to certain CTE Licensure Pathways
Background Information: On May 2, 2025, at its regular meeting, the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development granted approval of the recommendations made by the Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) to revise the “Special Notes” section of the official CTE Guidelines document to include a sixth (6th) “Special Note” that would establish criteria for obtaining a CTE license after an initial standard five-year renewable CTE license has been granted to an educator. As local school districts across Mississippi continue to add new and convert existing CTE programs to updated career pathways that meet the unique workforce needs of their respective communities, the proposed provision would afford local school districts the opportunity to retain existing staff and substantially broaden their pool of eligible instructors holding a valid five-year standard renewable CTE license.
Particularly, the request is to establish a provision that would allow an applicant that has met all criteria for obtaining an initial standard five-year renewable CTE license and is seeking to obtain an additional CTE license, to not be required to meet the educational requirement for obtaining certain subsequent CTE license types. All other criteria for obtaining the subsequent license, that have not been previously met, must be completed as a condition for the issuance of the subsequent license sought. This provision shall only apply to certain CTE licensure pathways in the official “Guidelines and Clarification of Requirements for Issuance of Career and Technical Education (Occupational Educator) Licenses”, document.
All requirements noted herein shall be effective upon receipt of final Mississippi Board of Education approval.
Please submit written comments to Dr. Cory Murphy, Office of Teaching and Leading, 359 North West Street, Post Office Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. You may also submit comments in writing by email at (licensure@mdek12.org).
All public comments must be received in the Division of Educator Licensure no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 21, 2025. APA Comments will be presented to the SBE on August 21, 2025.
Office of Accreditation
Proposed revision of State Board Policy Chapter 19, Rule 19.1 – Class Size
On June 19, 2025, the State Board of Education (SBE) granted approval to begin the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) process to revise State Board Policy Chapter 19, Rule 19.1 – Class Size effective with the 2025-2026 school year
Background Information: As part of the MS Student Funding Formula (MSFF) enacted by the MS Legislature in July 2024, Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-77, mandating specific student-teacher ratios in Mississippi classrooms was repealed. As part of the MSFF that became effective July 2024, Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-213 was enacted and provides the Commission on School Accreditation the authority to establish student-teacher ratios and the State Board of Education the authority to approve or disapprove of waiver requests of established ratios submitted by local districts. On June 5, 2025, the Commission on School Accreditation approved the proposed revisions that will help clarify the student-teacher ratios in the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards, 2024, and the waiver request process outlined in State Board Policy Chapter 19, Rule 19.1 and beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
Please submit written comments to Dr. Jo Ann Malone, Office of Accreditation, 359 North West Street, Post Office Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. You may also submit comments in writing by email at accreditation@mdek12.org.
All public comments must be received in the Office of Accreditation no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 21, 2025. APA Comments will be presented to the SBE on August 21, 2025.
