Communications and Government Relations

September 13, 2017

JACKSON, Miss. – The Commission on School Accreditation determined today that an extreme emergency exists in the Jackson Public School District (JPS) that jeopardizes the safety, security, and educational interests of the children enrolled in the schools in the district. As a result, the Mississippi State Board of Education will consider on September 14 whether to ask Gov. Phil Bryant to declare a state of emergency in the district. 

September 14, 2017

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education released today ACT results for the 2017 graduating class, which made gains, and the spring 2017 test administration for juniors, which showed a decline.

The average composite score among the graduating class increased from 18.4 in 2016 to 18.6 in 2017, and the average score among juniors decreased from 18.3 in 2016 to 18 in 2017.

September 14, 2017

JACKSON, Miss – The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) voted today to approve new diploma options that will give students the opportunity to earn an endorsement with their high school diploma and will provide the majority of students with disabilities an opportunity to earn a traditional diploma.

September 14, 2017

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) determined today that an extreme emergency situation exists in the Jackson Public School District (JPS). Acting on a recommendation from the Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation, the SBE voted to ask Gov. Phil Bryant to declare a state of emergency for the school district. 

September 15, 2017

JACKSON, Miss. – In response to inquiries about the impact of a potential declaration of emergency for the Jackson Public School District, the Mississippi Department of Education is providing the following information:

Question 1: What is a District of Transformation?

September 25, 2017

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi State Board of Education recently recognized the 2017 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program. PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics or science, including computer science, teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.

September 26, 2017

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi saw continued growth in all three major categories of Advanced Placement (AP) participation and performance, with 9,369 students taking AP exams in the 2016-17 school year. The number is a 14.2 percent increase over the previous school year.

Students took 14,076 AP exams in 2016-17, which is an increase of 13 percent over the previous year. The number of students achieving an AP score of 3 or higher increased 19.8 percent to 4,440.  Among minority students, the number scoring a 3 or higher increased 28 percent.

September 27, 2017

JACKSON, Miss. – Following final approval by the Mississippi State Board of Education, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) submitted to the U.S. Department of Education (department) its final state plan to improve outcomes for students in compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the federal law that replaces No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

Revised to clarify reference to 21st Century funds. 

September 28, 2017

JACKSON, Miss – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) provided copies of contracts, deliverables, and invoices to an audit team of the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) on Sept. 27, marking the 5th time an OSA audit team has conducted an audit of MDE in the last 18 months.

September 28, 2017

MDE to Respond to OSA Announcement

WHO: Dr. Felicia Gavin, Mississippi Department of Education chief operations officer

WHAT: Dr. Gavin will respond to the Office of the State Auditor’s announcement regarding MDE audits

WHEN: 3:30 p.m. today

WHERE: Central High School Building, 3rd floor, room 311

Conference call participant dialing instructions: