§ 37-21-9. Conduct of cost-benefit analysis on establishment of mandatory kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs
The State Department of Education shall: Conduct a total needs assessment of the state to determine what areas currently lack pre-kindergarten programs and services, and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of establishing pre-kindergarten programs on a statewide basis. Any expected costs, whether federal, state or local, associated with implementing this requirement shall be clearly outlined; and […]
§ 37-21-11. Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Program; legislative intent; timing of assessment
There is hereby established the “Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Program,” authorizing the Mississippi Department of Education to establish a common statewide Kindergarten readiness assessment, the purpose of which is to provide teachers, administrators and parents baseline data on students at the beginning of their Kindergarten year. It is the intent of the Legislature, in establishing this […]
§ 37-21-51. Definitions; legislative findings; Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013; implementation of voluntary prekindergarten program; application for and use of program funds; criteria for awarding funds; funds to be appropriated on phased-in basis
As used in this section: “Preschool or prekindergarten children” means any children who have not entered kindergarten but will have obtained four (4) years of age on or before September 1 of a school year. An “early learning collaborative” is a district or countywide council that writes and submits an application to participate in the […]
§ 37-21-53. Creation of Council; purpose; membership
The State Early Childhood Advisory Council (SECAC), located in the Office of the Governor, is (a) to assist the State Department of Education with the implementation of the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013, (b) to ensure coordination among the various agencies and programs serving preschool children in order to support school district’s efforts to […]
§ 37-21-1. Policy as to employment of persons in early childhood education programs
It shall be the policy of this state that any person acting in the capacity of teacher, assistant teacher or teacher’s aide shall possess certain educational qualifications in order to perform any of the functions, duties or powers of the same in early childhood education programs.
§ 37-21-3. Educational qualifications of personnel; applicability to charter schools
No person shall act in the capacity of master teacher, teacher or assistant teacher in any federal or state-funded program of early childhood education or “Head Start,” or perform any of the functions, duties or powers of the same, unless that person shall be qualified in the following manner: A master teacher or any other […]
§ 37-21-5. Enforcement of Sections 37-21-1 through 37-21-5
The State Department of Education of the State of Mississippi is vested with the authority to enforce the provisions of Sections 37-21-1 through 37-21-5. The department shall have the authority to make investigations and to require such proof of qualification as may be necessary for the enforcement of Sections 37-21-1 through 37-21-5.
§ 37-21-6. Mississippi Early Childhood Education Program
The Mississippi Early Childhood Education Program shall be the kindergarten program implemented by local school districts under the minimum education program.
§ 37-21-7. Mississippi Elementary Schools Assistant Teacher Program
This section shall be referred to as the “Mississippi Elementary Schools Assistant Teacher Program,” the purpose of which shall be to provide an early childhood education program that assists in the instruction of basic skills. The State Board of Education is authorized, empowered and directed to implement a statewide system of assistant teachers in kindergarten […]