According to the Education Commission of the States (ECS), Mississippi is one of approximately five (5) states that requires a separate endorsement for Advanced Placement (AP) teachers, and this requirement has been noted as a barrier to AP course access, especially in small schools and rural schools. The Office of Secondary Education reviewed student performance in AP courses over the last 10 years, and Mississippi has lagged behind other states, even those that do not have a specific licensure requirement.
In order to reduce barriers to access, in consideration of the AP course syllabus audit process, and in light of available online resources, the State Board of Education eliminated the additional licensure requirement to teach AP courses.
Effective with the 2020-2021 school year, teachers may teach an AP course with the appropriate secondary education content area endorsement. The additional endorsement will no longer be required.
Please note, AP teachers are required to complete and submit a course syllabus audit to the College Board. AP courses may not be taught until the teacher receives course syllabus approval from the College Board. Additionally, AP teachers should implement all available College Board online resources for both the teacher and the student. The Office of Secondary Education will continue to support professional development opportunities for AP teachers.
Information concerning AP and the course audit is located on the College Board webpage: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-course-audit
For more information, please contact Heather Morrison at hmorrison@ihl.state.ms.us or Wendy Clemons at wclemons@mdek12. Thank you,