NEWS RELEASE

Release Date: February 5, 2010

Contact: Pete Smith, Director of Communications, 601.359.1336

MDE announces new online educator license management system

Jackson, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is now offering educator license online. The new Educator Licensure Management System (ELMS) is simple and easy to use. A parent can type in the name of an educator and view what subject areas the educator is certified to teach. Educators will soon be able apply for their license online using the new ELMS – allowing educators to save time and money.

The ELMS currently allows anyone using the system to enter the name of an educator and view that educator’s virtual license. The information on the virtual license is public information. There are no addresses, phone numbers or Social Security numbers of an educator on the virtual license. The information on the virtual license is in real-time. Once a license has been issued, the information accessed in the new system will be current.

“The Office of Educator Licensure is long overdue for conversion to an electronic format. This new system will save time and money for Mississippi educators and create a much more responsive system,” State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tom Burnham said.

Phase two – the online application process and the renewal of licenses will be complete in the coming weeks. Educators can complete and submit an application online and immediately know that the application has been successfully submitted.

“We are excited about these advances in educator certification and we hope that everyone will take full advantage of the new online management system,” Director of the Office of Educator Licensure Cindy Coon said.

MDE will offer training this month to superintendent’s and personnel administrators to learn about the new online system. To look up an educator in your community, visit MDE’s Web site at www.mde.k12..ms.us and click on License Look-up.

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