7 Miss. Code. R. 3-14.21 - Mississippi Assistant Teacher Requirements

Assistant teachers shall have at a minimum a high school diploma or a High School Equivalency Diploma equivalent and shall show demonstratable proficiency in reading and writing skills.

1. Requirements for assistant teachers working in pre-kindergarten

a. By August 1, 2022, 50% of assistant teachers in each district will meet the requirements described below. By August 1, 2024, 100% of assistant teachers in each district will meet the requirements described below.

Assistant teachers are required to follow one of the pathways listed below:

Early Childhood associate degree
OR
Associate degree OR 60 College Credit Hours	AND	12 early childhood college credit hours* OR Completion of an early childhood training program**
OR
High School Diploma/GED AND Verification of WorkKeys Scores***	AND	12 early childhood college credit hours OR Completion of an early childhood training program**

*These hours can be included in the associate degree or 60 College Credit Hours

**Completion of an early childhood training program includes the Child Development Associate (CDA), National/State Director's Credential, Montessori Credential, and the MDE's intensive specialized early childhood training program.

*** Prior to 2017, Teacher Assistants would have met WorkKeys requirements: (1) a Reading for Information score of 4, an Applied Mathematics score of 4, and a Writing or Business Writing score of 3;

OR

After 2017, teacher assistants need to meet the WorkKeys Silver Level certification.

2. Requirements for assistant teachers working in kindergarten and up

a. Assistant teachers are required to follow one of the pathways listed below:

i. Hold an associate degree or higher

OR

ii. Two Years or 48 College Credit Hours

(Transcript verification required)

OR

iii. High School Diploma/GED

AND

Verification of WorkKeys Scores*

* Prior to 2017, teacher assistants would have met WorkKeys requirements: (1) a Reading for Information score of 4, an Applied Mathematics score of 4, and a Writing or Business Writing score of 3;

OR

After 2017, teacher assistants need to meet the WorkKeys Silver Level certification.

Notes

7 Miss. Code. R. 3-14.21

Miss Code Ann. §§ 37-21-7, 37-19-7(3), and 37-1-3 (Adopted 5/2022)

Adopted 8/22/2022