Missouri Code of State Regulations
Title 5 - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Division 20 - Division of Learning Services
Chapter 400 - Office of Educator Quality
Section 5 CSR 20-400.530 - Certification Requirements for a Teacher of Middle School Education (Grades 5-9)

1. The applicant must possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;

2. The applicant must have a recommendation from the designated official at a baccalaureate or higher-level educator preparation program approved by the department;

3. The applicant must possess a grade point average to meet the following specifications:

4. The applicant must achieve a score equal to or in excess of the qualifying score on the required exit assessment(s) as defined in 5 CSR 20-400.440. The official score shall be submitted to the department;

5. The applicant must complete the professional requirements as determined by the recommending educator preparation program, which may exceed these minimum requirements; and

6. Individuals who completed an educator preparation program outside of the United States shall provide documentation of completion of coursework in the following:

1. Content Planning and Delivery. Candidates are prepared with a deep knowledge of and understand the relationship among curriculum, instruction, and assessment-

2. Individual Student Needs. Candidates build a robust knowledge of learners and the learning environment-

3. Schools and the Teaching Profession. Candidates fully understand the role of schools and schooling as well as the professional responsibilities of teachers, including a means of professional growth-

4. Middle School Literacy (minimum of six (6) semester hours): to include coursework in methods of teaching reading and writing in the content area, and to include instructional interventions for students with reading deficits; and

5. Content Knowledge for Teaching (minimum requirement of twenty-four (24) semester hours). Subject area certification in grades five through nine (5-9) will be granted upon the basis of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours with appropriate distribution as determined by the educator preparation program and/or the department, in one (1) of the following areas:

1. Content Planning and Delivery. Candidates are prepared with a deep knowledge of and understand the relationship among curriculum, instruction, and assessment-

2. Individual Student Needs. Candidates build a robust knowledge of learners and the learning environment-

3. Schools and the Teaching Profession. Candidates fully understand the role of schools and schooling as well as the professional responsibilities of teachers, including a means of professional growth-

4. Middle School Literacy (minimum of six (6) semester hours). Candidates demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to support the development of student literacy. At a minimum, coursework must address the following topics:

5. Content Knowledge for Teaching (minimum requirement of twenty-four (24) semester hours). Subject area certification in grades five through nine (5-9) will be granted upon the basis of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours with appropriate distribution as determined by the educator preparation program and/or the department, in one (1) of the following areas:

1. Early Field Experiences (one (1) semester hour with a minimum of thirty (30) clock hours). The early field experience includes placements in which candidates observe students, support teachers, and respond to specific class assignments. The candidate may work with students individually and/or in small groups as requested and under the supervision of the classroom teacher.

2. Mid-Level Field Experiences (one (1) semester hour with a minimum of forty-five (45) clock hours). The mid-level experience occurs between the initial placement and the culminating clinical experiences. At the mid-level, candidates continue to observe; respond to specific class assignments; and work with students individually, in small groups, and in whole class settings as requested and under the supervision of the classroom teacher.

3. Culminating Clinical Experiences (eight (8) semester hours with a minimum of twelve (12) weeks in one (1) placement). The culminating experience refers to placements typically in the final sequence leading up to and including student teaching. Candidates actively participate and complete required assignments, work with students as requested and under the supervision of the classroom teacher, and have the opportunity and responsibility to lead the class over an extended period of time.