The Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning at the University of Mississippi, through a grant awarded to the North MS Education Consortium by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, has entered into an agreement with The Kirkland Group to provide tutoring and support to potential early childhood teachers who need to successfully complete the Praxis Core and Praxis II Assessments. It is the intent that upon completion these persons will be certified to teach pre-kindergarten through kindergarten in Mississippi Public Schools.

 

 Program Entrance Requirements 

The Early Childhood Education Scholars Program is limited in the number of applicants it can serve, so only those who meet all entrance requirements will be considered.

 

Each applicant must:

• Submit application to the Early Childhood Education Scholars Program.

• Submit proof of a bachelor's degree from an accredited child development (or similar) licensure/certification track OR is currently classified as a sophomore enrolled in an accredited community/junior college.

• Submit a sealed official transcript of all academic work performed on the collegiate level.

• Submit previous results of the Praxis Core, Praxis II PLT and/or Praxis Specialty exams.

  • Note: The cut scores for passage on the Core should be within 10 points.

• Provide proof of scoring 146 or higher on the Praxis Core Reading (5712).

• Provide proof of scoring 152 or higher on the Praxis Core Writing (5722).

• Provide proof of scoring 140 or higher on the Praxis Core Mathematics (5732).

• Provide proof of scoring 160 or higher on the Praxis Education of Young Children (5024).

• Provide proof of earning a 2.75 GPA or higher on content coursework in the requested area of
  certification.

 

Program Completion Requirements

All selected applicants must comply with the terms below (failure to do so will result in program dismissal).
Each participant must:

• Participate in all face-to-face sessions with the Kirkland staff and arrive ON TIME.

• Participate in all web-based tutoring sessions with the Kirkland staff at the scheduled times.

• Complete all homework assignments per the Kirkland staff.

• Register for and take the Praxis Core within twenty-one (21) days of completing the tutoring sessions

• Provide all documents per the application form to The Kirkland Group.

• Provide Praxis scores (if applicable) to The Kirkland Group.

 

Should an applicant fail to pass any components of the Praxis, (s)he will be required to continue with tutoring
sessions and will receive one additional opportunity to pass all portions of the test. As with the first exam, the
second test must be taken within twenty-one (21) days of completing the extended tutoring sessions.

 

Location
Sessions will take place at 750 North State Street in Jackson, Mississippi.  
 

Stipend

Any participant who can provide proof of passing a Praxis assessment on the first attempt will receive a $50.00 stipend. Payment will be rendered after the score is documented by The Kirkland Group. Participants will also receive study books at no cost, and their fee to take the Praxis Core will be paid. Thus, they will incur no expense. However, no travel will be paid or stipend given for time spent in study groups, face-to-face sessions, or webinars.

 

Attendance

It is imperative that participants attend EVERY SESSION ON TIME. Any participant more than 15 minutes late will be considered absent and will be subject to program dismissal. In like manner, any participant who is not present when roll is taken will be marked absent and will receive a letter indicating program dismissal. A picture ID will be required for session entry, and no additional guests will be permitted. Scheduling information is listed below.