Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 7 - Education K-12
Part 7 - Mississippi Kindergarten Guidelines
Section 7-7-III - Organizational Procedures and Staff
Universal Citation: MS Code of Rules 7-7-III
Current through March 14, 2024
A. Organizational Requirements
1.
Required Ratio: The teacher-pupil ratio shall be 1:22 maximum. If
a full-time assistant teacher is assigned to the kindergarten classroom, the
teacher-pupil ratio shall not exceed 2:27.
2.
Required Length of School Day and
Term: The length of the school day and school term shall be the same as
that of the other grades of the elementary school.
3.
Required Physical Activity
Time: Students shall participate in physical activity for a minimum of
30 minutes during the school day, in accordance with MS Code 37-13-134. The
physical activity does not have to take place continuously. Weather permitting,
physical activity should take place outside.
B. Organizational Recommendations
1.
Recommended
Ratio: To enhance pre-reading instruction, to provide more
individualized instruction, to promote more time on task, and to minimize
disruptions, it is recommended that the teacher-pupil ratio not exceed an
enrollment of 16 per teacher. If an assistant teacher is assigned to the
kindergarten classroom, it is recommended that the teacher-pupil ratio not
exceed an enrollment of 22 per teacher/assistant teacher team. The employment
of an assistant teacher is recommended to assist the certified teacher
regardless of teacher-pupil ratio.
2.
Recommended Quiet Time:
Students should engage in a minimum of 30 minutes of quiet time daily.
Activities during quiet time may include individual activities, sustained
silent reading, listening to books on tape, drawing, or resting, as appropriate
for each individual student.
C. Staff
1.
Required Educator
Certification
a.
Teacher:
Public school kindergarten teachers must hold one of the following
endorsements: Pre-K * K (153), Elementary Education K * 3 (116), Elementary
Education K * 4 (152), Elementary Education K * 6 (120), Elementary Education K
* 9 (115), or Nursery * Kindergarten (151). By fall 2016, new kindergarten
teachers seeking an initial elementary education license must make a passing
score on the Pearson Foundations of Reading Assessment in accordance with MS
Code 37-3-2.
b.
Assistant
Teacher: IN GENERAL * Each local educational agency receiving assistance
under this part shall ensure that all paraprofessionals hired after the date of
enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and working in a program
supported with funds under this part shall have:
*
(A) completed at least 2 years of study at an
institution of higher education;
*
(B) obtained an associate's (or higher) degree; or
* (C) met a rigorous standard of
quality and can demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic
assessment -
(i) knowledge of, and the
ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; or
(ii) knowledge of, and the ability
to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics
readiness, as appropriate.
By fall 2018, it is recommended that assistant teachers have an associate's degree in early childhood education, child development, or an equivalent field.
2.
Required Professional Development
for Staff: School systems must provide regular training related to
principles and methods of early childhood education and reading instruction for
all kindergarten teachers, assistant teachers, and program administrators.
Training should reflect appropriate best practices for early childhood (Pre-K
through Grade 3) and should be evidence- or research-based.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Mississippi may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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