APA Notices

View APA submissions in the Mississippi Administrative Bulletin on the Secretary of State’s website.

Administrative Procedures Act (APA) Notice

Office of District and School Performance

Office of Chief Accountability Officer

Proposed revision of Miss. Admin. Code 7-12: Mississippi Testing Accommodations Manual 

On February 19, 2026, the State Board of Education (SBE) granted approval of a temporary rule and to begin the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) process: To revise Miss. Admin. Code 7-12: Mississippi Testing Accommodations Manual, in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-9 (1) and (3).

Background Information: Pursuant to Section 37-16-9 (1) and (3) Miss. Code Ann., the Mississippi Testing Accommodations Manual (MTAM) was revised to remove references to the U.S. history assessment and to add language that addresses new testing accommodation options for students that are English learners.  Changes regarding English learners include the following:

• Clarification regarding the appropriate use of online, printable word-to-word dictionaries and glossaries
• Language was added to address the use of a new glossing ability in the online testing platform.
• Language regarding the use of the LAS Links assessment was removed.  LAS Links is no longer used as the English language proficient test.
• A reference to the new alternate English language proficiency test has been added.

The temporary rule and final action are necessary to implement the policy revisions immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.113(2)(b)(ii). Specifically, to provide necessary clarification to the Mississippi Testing Accommodations Manual prior to beginning of Spring 2026 Statewide Assessments. See also Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.108. For a rule to become effective immediately upon its filing, the Board is required to make a finding that the rule only confers a benefit or removes a restriction on the public or some segment thereof.

Please submit written comments to Mr. Alan Burrow, Office of District and School Performance, 359 North West Street, Post Office Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771. You may also submit comments in writing by email at accreditation@mdek12.org.

All public comments must be received in the Office of Accreditation no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 23, 2026.  APA comments will be presented to the SBE on April 16, 2026.