UPDATE: A VICTORY FOR EDUCATORS
During the 2022 Mississippi Legislative session, MAE fought hard to ensure the state legislature backed up the talk about educators being heroes with action. The result — the largest teacher pay raise in the history of Mississippi. Read more about our victory here.
Download a PDF version of our legislative priorities here.
Increase Teacher and Support Staff Salaries
Mississippi's teacher shortage is at crisis level, and providing adequate and reasonable salaries to educators will help fill the need for professional educators and support staff in every classroom in Mississippi
- Establish $45,000 starting salary for classroom educators through a progressive plan
- Recalibrate salary schedule and secure pay raise that will enable Mississippi teachers' salaries to be above the Southeastern regional average
- Secure a living wage of at least $15 per hour for Education Support Professionals and school staff
Establish Universal Pre-K and Kindergarten for All
We believe, and studies have shown, that early childhood development and learning gives children the solid foundation they need to reach their highest potential.
- Establish pre-k and kindergarten programs for every early education student in the state
- Include pre-k and kindergarten students in ADA counts
Ensure That Educator Voices Guide Decision-Making for Public Education
Work with elected officials to secure input and testimony from educators currently in the classroom and veteran educators with valuable experience during the decision-making process at the local and state levels.
Implement the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP)
Begin implementing the current statutory plan that ensures every student has the opportunity to receive a high-quality education and every educator has the resources to provide it. Our students deserve a quality education, and educators deserve the resources needed to provide a quality education for our students.
Redirect Mississippi's Accountability System from Testing to Learning
Create a more holistic accountability system for assessing student success and areas of improvement for Mississippi's public schools.
Educators, students, and families consistently report that the current high stakes testing approach of accountability measures is harmful. Educators are being forced to teach to the test, and students feel the weight of the expectations set forth by their schools and districts. Our members believe that a more comprehensive learning approach is warranted as we seek to provide students with the public education they need and deserve.
Set Statewide Social Emotional Learning Practices and Standards
Support school staff in receiving social emotional learning training on a continuing basis. Require districts to develop trauma-informed practices plans that prioritize a whole-child approach in and out of the classroom.
Approximately 45% of children nationally have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) – more commonly known as trauma. ACEs include physical and emotional abuse as well as issues such as bullying, homelessness, and income insecurity. Currently, there are no standardized supports provided for Mississippi students who experience trauma.
Establish Community Schools
A community school is the center of the community – open all day, every day, to everyone – that brings together academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement under one roof, leading to improved learning, stronger families, and healthier communities.
- Secure funding to support innovative learning collaboratives to include families and community members and leaders.
- Provide wraparound services in areas of the state most in need of these additional supports for their students
Ensure Contract Security for Certified and Non-Certified Classroom Personnel
Veteran teachers deserve a more respectful and secure contract renewal process based on their years of service in the classroom. Assistant teachers are under accountability standards, just like certified classroom personnel who enjoy working under contract. Assistant teachers deserve the due process rights that come with a contract.
- Establish unified criterion for teacher contract renewal
- Provide due process for teachers based upon years of service (i.e. 5 years, 10 years, etc.)
- Provide an employment contract for non-certified classroom personnel
Offer Community College Instructors Salaries Suitable for their Positions
Raise community college salaries to the averaged K-12 and IHL salaries Recruiting and retaining quality, professional teachers is necessary for community college students to achieve their fullest potential. Salaries for these instructors must be comparable to community colleges in surrounding states.
