Committee
Education
Author
Dennis DeBar
Session
2024 Session
Latest Action
On April 9, the House passed SB 2407. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature.
Explanation of the Bill
This bill has a companion bill, HB 1669, in the House.
Senate Bill 2407 expands the allowable qualifications for assistant teachers in the state’s early learning collaboratives, the state-funded pre-K program. If this bill is enacted, assistant teachers would be allowed to possess a high school diploma/GED and a Child Development Associate (CDA), a Montessori certification, or an equivalent certification.
As it stands, assistant teachers currently must “possess an associate’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or an equivalent field; or an associate’s degree in any field and a Child Development Associate credential, a Montessori certification, or an equivalent certification.
Senate Bill 2407 is intended to increase the pool of potential assistant teachers for early learning collaboratives. This change would still allow Mississippi to be in compliance with the National Institute of Early Education Research’s benchmarks for high-quality pre-K.
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| 2/16/24 | On February 16, SB 2407 was referred to the Senate Education Committee. |
| 2/29/24 | On February 29, the Senate Education Committee passed SB 2407. The bill now awaits a vote on the Senate floor. |
| 3/8/24 | On March 8, the Senate passed SB 2407. The bill is now transmitted to the House. |
| 3/14/24 | On March 14, SB 2407 was referred to the House Education Committee. |
| 3/28/24 | On March 28, the House Education Committee passed SB 2407. It now awaits a floor vote. |
| 4/9/24 | On April 9, the House passed SB 2407. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature. |