Licensure Hearing for Clarksdale Teacher Changes Location
July 21, 2015
WHO: Frances Smith-Kemp, former Heidelberg Elementary School teacher
WHAT: Administrative hearing before the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development. Due to smoke and water damage in the Central High School Building, the MDE is moving the hearing. The MDE is seeking to revoke Smith-Kemp’s teaching license for affecting the validity of state assessments.
WHEN: July 27-29, 9 a.m.
Central High School Building Remains Closed
July 22, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Central High School Building will remain closed for the next four to six days as the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration continues to survey damage caused by the Jackson Marriot fire. For safety reasons, MDE employees may not enter the building.
Clarksdale Teacher Surrenders License
July 28, 2015
JACKSON, Miss – Clarksdale Municipal School District teacher Frances Smith-Kemp surrendered her teaching license today and agreed to cooperate with the Mississippi Department of Education in its ongoing investigation into testing irregularities in the Clarksdale Municipal School District.
Public Comment Forum for Mississippi College- and Career-Ready Standards Shows Majority Support Standards
July 30, 2015
JACKSON, Miss – Midway through the 90-day Mississippi College- and Career-Ready Standards (MCCRS) Feedback Forum, 91.8% of commenters have indicated their approval of the state’s academic standards.
The Mississippi Department of Education launched the MCCRS Feedback Forum on June 15 to encourage stakeholders to read the standards and either submit comments in support of the standards or provide specific, actionable feedback on any standards of concern. The forum will remain open through Sept. 15.
MDE to Temporarily Relocate Offices
August 4, 2015
JACKSON, Miss – Due to the damage caused by the Jackson Marriott fire, the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration has directed the Mississippi Department of Education to temporarily relocate all staff who work in the Central High School Building. The move is necessary because it will take several months to complete the extensive repairs needed to the building.
Majority of Students in Early Learning Collaboratives Show Growth on Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
August 5, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – More than half of the 4-year-old pre-kindergarten students in the Early Learning Collaboratives (ELCs) met or exceeded the expected performance level for kindergarten readiness, according to results from the first year of assessments.
MDE Approvals for Special Needs Scholarships Pass Halfway Mark
August 12, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced today that 235 families have qualified for an Education Scholarship Account (ESA) that will provide funding to parents of students with disabilities who want to withdraw from public school to seek educational services elsewhere.
Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed for eligibility until the annual enrollment limit of 434 is reached. Parents of students with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As of August 12, 199 scholarships are still available.
State Board of Education to Meet in Clinton
August 18, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Board of Education will have its monthly meeting at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 20 at the South Pointe Business Park in Clinton. The Mississippi Department of Education temporarily moved from the Central High School Building following a fire behind the Jackson Marriott.
MDE Stands Behind Research-based Process for Accountability Model
August 21, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released today the complete response to the PEER Committee report on the accountability standards for the system that evaluates school and district performance, including the qualifications of the MDE Technical Advisory Committee. The response can be found here.
Books in the Barbershop Promotes Literacy in Jackson
August 24, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – Books in the Barbershop promotes reading by creating book stations at barbershops and training barbers to engage young readers. The family, school and community initiative launched in June 2015 in Jackson, Miss. The Jackson Council Parent Teacher Association coordinates the program with support from Jackson Public Schools, the City of Jackson and a host of community organizations.