The Mississippi Board of Education convened on January 5, 2024, to discuss the annual performance report of educator preparation providers (EPPs) for the year 2023. This meeting highlighted the importance of effective teacher preparation in achieving the state’s educational goals and ensuring that students are equipped for success in various aspects of life.

The presentation began with an overview of the State Board of Education's vision to create a world-class educational system. The mission emphasizes leadership in policy development and accountability to prepare students for global competition. A key focus of the meeting was Goal 4, which underscores the necessity of having effective teachers and leaders in every school.

The annual performance report is crucial for compliance with federal regulations under Title II of the Higher Education Act. It provides essential data on teacher enrollment, program completion rates, and candidate satisfaction, which are reported with a one-year lag. The 2023 report reflects data from the 2021-2022 academic year, revealing that 3,113 candidates were admitted to teacher preparation programs, with a slight majority (52.67%) entering traditional pathways.

A notable trend emerged from the report, indicating a significant spike in candidates during the test suspension period from 2019 to 2021. However, there was a 49% decrease in non-traditional pathway admissions following the end of this suspension. In terms of program completion, non-traditional pathways saw a 31% increase in completers for the 2021-2022 academic year, while traditional pathways experienced a more modest 9% increase.

The report also identified critical shortage areas in education, including science, mathematics, and special education. Of the total completers, 19% were in these critical shortage fields, with non-traditional pathways contributing significantly to this number.

Satisfaction rates among program completers and cooperating teachers were also discussed. Approximately 92.57% of completers expressed satisfaction with their preparation, and 91.84% would recommend their cooperating teachers to future student teachers. Similarly, 88.96% of cooperating teachers reported satisfaction with the preparedness of their student teachers.

The meeting concluded with a positive note regarding the increase in the number of school counselors completing their programs, marking a 35% rise from the previous year. This growth is seen as a promising development for addressing the mental health and guidance needs of students in Mississippi.

Overall, the discussions at the meeting underscored the ongoing efforts of the Mississippi Board of Education to enhance teacher preparation and address critical shortages in the educational workforce, ultimately aiming to improve student outcomes across the state. The next steps will involve continued monitoring of these trends and further analysis of the data to inform future educational policies.