{"id":3846,"date":"2023-09-06T15:13:26","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T21:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/?p=3846"},"modified":"2026-01-27T15:14:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T21:14:47","slug":"mde-invalidates-934-state-assessment-results-following-investigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/2023\/09\/06\/mde-invalidates-934-state-assessment-results-following-investigation\/","title":{"rendered":"MDE invalidates 934 state assessment results following investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"x_x_p2\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\"><b>NEWS RELEASE\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ogsc=\"black\"><i>For Immediate Release: Sept. 6, 2023<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\"><b>MDE invalidates 934 state assessment results following investigation<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(32, 31, 30)\">JACKSON, Miss. \u2013 <\/span><span data-ogsc=\"black\">The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has invalidated 934 spring 2023 state assessment results after an investigation of testing irregularities in five districts and 12 schools. The invalidated tests represent less than two-tenths of 1% of the 578,515 tests administered in spring 2023. Tests results were invalidated in a portion of tests in the following schools, grades and subjects:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Canton Public School District<\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Nichols Middle School \u2013 Grades 6, 7 English Language Arts (ELA) and Math<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Greenville Public School District<\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Boyd Elementary School \u2013 Grade 5 ELA and Math<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Hollandale School District<\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Simmons Junior High School \u2013 Grade 8 ELA<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Simmons High School \u2013 English II<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Jackson Public Schools<\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Dawson Elementary School \u2013 Grade 3 ELA and Math<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Lester Elementary School \u2013 Grades 3, 4, 5 ELA and Math; grade 5 Science<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Marshall Elementary School \u2013 Grade 3 ELA<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">McLeod Elementary School \u2013 Grades 3, 4, 5 ELA and Math<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Peeples Middle School \u2013 Grades 6, 7, 8 ELA and Math; grade 8 Science<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Wilkins Elementary School \u2013 Grade 4 Math<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Lanier High School \u2013 English II<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Wilkinson County School District<\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Wilkinson County High School \u2013 English II, Algebra I, U.S. History<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">The portion of tests invalidated in each grade and subject range from 8% to 94% of tests taken in each subject at each individual school.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Mississippi State Board of Education policy requires all test procedures and results used in the statewide assessment and\/or accountability systems be valid and reliable for making related decisions. To help ensure assessment results are valid and reliable, the MDE conducts an annual statistical analysis of results for every test that is administered statewide. The annual analysis can reveal a range of testing irregularities and flags schools for monitoring and possible investigation. The most egregious irregularities result in the invalidation of scores.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Most tests were invalidated because of an extremely high level of similar responses and\/or instances of wrong-to-right answer changes. The probability of the detected irregularities occurring under normal testing conditions is 1 in 1 quintillion, or 1 billion multiplied by 1 billion. The systemic scope of the irregularities indicates violations of test security.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">The MDE notified the affected superintendents about testing irregularities in their districts on Aug. 15, 2023, and provided them with 15 working days to conduct an investigation and submit a report of their findings to the MDE.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Following the investigations in the Canton and Jackson school districts, district leaders determined 57 educators, administrators and staff violated test security rules. The districts took disciplinary action against the employees and, as required, reported the personnel to the MDE Office of Educator Misconduct. School personnel who violate test security rules face further disciplinary action against their educator license, which may include suspension or revocation, and possible criminal charges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">The district-led investigations in the Greenville, Hollandale and Wilkinson school districts did not identify any school personnel who violated test security rules. Based on the forensic evidence of testing irregularities, the MDE is now conducting test security and educator misconduct investigations in each of these districts. State law requires school districts to reimburse the MDE for the cost of state-led testing investigations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">\u201cThe MDE takes seriously its obligation to ensure the validity of the statewide assessment and accountability systems,\u201d said Dr. Ray Morgigno, interim state superintendent of education. \u201cWe recognize and appreciate that the vast majority of schools properly administer state assessments. However, interference in state testing corrupts the integrity of the assessments and deprives students and families of receiving a true and accurate measure of student learning and achievement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">The MDE is sending letters to the parents and guardians of students whose spring 2023 assessment scores were invalidated to inform them that their children\u2019s score reports are not valid. Families who receive these letters are urged to contact their child\u2019s school district to request a true picture of their child\u2019s performance. Falsified test results deprive students, families and other teachers of knowing whether students need extra help and support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Schools that promoted 3rd grade students with invalidated English Language Arts scores will be required to provide those students with additional support and intervention, if necessary, to ensure the students are reading proficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Students with invalidated high school test results are required to retake the exams in the 2023-24 school year because the assessments are required for graduation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Schools with invalidated test scores in 10% or more of their assessments included in the Mississippi Statewide Accountability System will not receive a letter grade for the 2022-23 school year and will have their accreditation status downgraded or withdrawn. School and district grades will be released on September 28. Grades for the following schools will be noted as <i>test data invalidated<\/i>:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Canton Public School District<\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Nichols Middle School<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Greenville Public School District<\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Boyd Elementary School<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Hollandale School District<\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Simmons High School<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Jackson Public Schools<\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Dawson Elementary School<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Lester Elementary School<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">McLeod Elementary School<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Peeples Middle School<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Wilkinson County School District<\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" data-ogsc=\"black\"><span role=\"presentation\">Wilkinson County High School<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">MDE cannot provide any further details regarding the status of these open investigations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_x_MsoNormal\" dir=\"ltr\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Find all MDE news releases at <\/span><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(5, 99, 193)\"><u><a title=\"https:\/\/www.mdek12.org\/news\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mdek12.org\/news\" data-outlook-id=\"1177adda-812d-49ef-a259-3f1e06b08146\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(5, 99, 193)\">mdek12.org\/news<\/a><\/u><\/span><span data-ogsc=\"black\">.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEWS RELEASE\u00a0 For Immediate Release: Sept. 6, 2023 MDE invalidates 934 state assessment results following investigation JACKSON, Miss. \u2013 The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has invalidated 934 spring 2023 state assessment results after an investigation of testing irregularities in five districts and 12 schools. The invalidated tests represent less than two-tenths of 1% of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3846"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3846\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3848,"href":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3846\/revisions\/3848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mdek12.org\/communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}