3rd Grade Parent Reports to be Released Early Next Week
May 8, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – Parents of 3rd graders who did not receive their child’s individual score report Friday for the 3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment should expect to receive it early next week.
Some districts will distribute their reports next week because Renaissance Learning, Inc., the company that administered the test, was unable to provide online access to some districts to print their reports on Friday.
Clarksdale Teacher Granted Continuance for Licensure Hearing
May 11, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – Former Heidelberg Elementary School teacher Francis Smith-Kemp, who has been charged with violating state law by cheating on state assessments, has been granted a continuance for her hearing before the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development.
The new hearing date will be June 16.
Two Mississippi Students Named 2015 Presidential Scholars
May 18, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education announced today that two Mississippi students have been named 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars.
Board of Education’s Monthly Meeting Set for May 21
May 20, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Board of Education monthly meeting for May will be Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m. The agenda for the one-day meeting can be found here.
Statewide Kindergarten Assessment Reveals Majority of Students Making Gains
May 21, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The results of Mississippi’s first statewide assessment of learning in Kindergarten show that the majority of the state’s youngest students have made significant gains this academic year.
More than 40,000 Kindergarteners from 144 districts took the STAR Early Literacy exam in the fall and spring of the 2014-15 school year. The state average score for the fall test was 501. The average score climbed to 680 after the spring test.
Volunteers Help English Language Learners Excel
May 22, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – After their retirement three years ago, Jimmy and Joan Barrentine started volunteering in the English Language Learner program at Northside Elementary School in Clinton.
Video: The Barrentines help English Language Learners excel
The school’s international students come from a diverse range of countries including India, Yemen, China, Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Japan and Mexico. Many of these students start school not knowing one word of English.
Miss Mississippi Jasmine Murray Kicks Off Statewide Summer Reading Program
May 26, 2015
WHO: Miss Mississippi Jasmine Murray, state superintendent of education Dr. Carey Wright, and Mississippi Library Commission executive director Susan Cassagne
WHAT: Miss Mississippi Jasmine Murray will join state leaders to kick off Mississippi’s summer reading program and to launch the statewide Strong Readers=Strong Leaders literacy campaign. Murray will lead story time following the press conference.
Licensure Hearing for Clarksdale Teacher
June 15, 2015
WHO: Francis Smith-Kemp, former Heidelberg Elementary School teacher
WHAT: Administrative hearing before the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development. The MDE is seeking to revoke Smith-Kemp’s teaching license for affecting the validity of state assessments.
WHEN: June 16, 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: 4th Floor Board Room, Central High School Building, 359 N. West St., Jackson
MDE Announces Summer Food Service Program
June 17, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education announced today the Summer Food Service Program, which provides nutritious meals without charge to children in need during the summer.
To obtain a listing of approved sites, hours of operation and meal types, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or visit www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks.
The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is administered by the MDE’s Office of Child Nutrition.
MDE Releases Application for Special Needs Scholarship Program
June 18, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education has released the application for parents of students with disabilities who want to participate in the special needs scholarship program. Applications will be accepted beginning July 1 when the law becomes effective.
Parents are encouraged to submit their applications during the July 1-10 window to ensure they are notified of their application status before school starts in August. The MDE will continue to accept applications until all scholarships are awarded.