NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: Sept. 28, 2023
MDE releases school and district accountability grades for 2022-23
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released accountability grades for the 2022-23 school year, which show 87% of schools and 91% of districts earned a grade of C or higher.
The grades are an improvement over 2021-22, when approximately 81% of schools and 87% of districts were rated C or higher. In 2016, when the Mississippi State Board of Education set a goal that all schools and districts be rated C or higher, the percentage of schools and districts meeting this goal were both 62%.
Statewide student assessment data make up a large part of accountability grades. In 2022-23, the overall percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced reached an all-time high in mathematics, English Language Arts (ELA), science and U.S. History.
“This year’s school and district grades provide further evidence that Mississippi teachers, school leaders and staff have done an outstanding job helping students accelerate learning after the disruptions of the pandemic,” said Dr. Raymond Morgigno, interim state superintendent of education. “I am confident our schools will build upon these achievements so that all students are proficient and prepared for success after high school.”
Since 2020, school districts and the state have invested federal pandemic-relief funds in programs and services to overcome pandemic disruptions and accelerate student learning. The additional funds enabled districts to pay for extended learning days, tutorial services and intensive interventions, among other supports. State investments include the Mississippi Connects digital learning initiative, which provided all students with a computer device, and services including on-demand tutoring, high-quality digital curriculum subscriptions and digital learning coaches for teachers. Pandemic-relief funds for these services will end in September 2024, and school districts will be responsible for paying for any services they wish to continue.
Mississippi’s accountability grades help teachers, school leaders, parents and communities know how well their local schools and districts are serving their students. The components of the state’s accountability system are based on state and federal law and State Board policy. They include:
- Student proficiency and growth rates in ELA and Mathematics in grades 3-8
- Growth of the lowest performing 25% of students in ELA and Mathematics
- Science proficiency in grades 5 and 8
- English Learner progress toward becoming proficient in the English language
- Performance on the ACT and high school Algebra I, English II, Biology and U.S. History assessments
- Student participation and performance in advanced coursework such as Advanced Placement and dual credit/dual enrollment courses
- Four-year graduation rate
School and district improvements in 2022-23 extend to school districts under state leadership because of poor academic performance or a state of emergency. The majority of these districts have made steady improvements since their state takeover:
- Tunica County School District: Maintained a B for the second consecutive year. The district first achieved a C in 2016, improving upon a four-year track record of D and F grades. The district will return to local control in January 2024.
- Noxubee County School District: Achieved a C, improving upon its D rating in 2022 and emerging from its pattern of earning an F every year since 2016.
- Holmes County School District: Maintained a C for the second consecutive year, improving from an F in 2019.
- Achievement School District (ASD): The Humphreys County portion of the ASD improved its grade from an F to a D; the Yazoo City portion remained an F.
“I am especially proud of the students in our districts under state leadership,” Morgigno said. “These students have proven they can achieve at higher levels when teachers and leaders raise expectations and remain singularly focused on helping to improve student outcomes.”
Resources:
- Understanding the Mississippi Accountability Grading System for Schools and Districts
- Video about Mississippi’s A-F accountability system and the components of the system for elementary, middle and high schools: mdek12.org/OCGR/mact
- School- and district-level accountability results: mdek12.org/OPR/Reporting/Accountability
- The Mississippi Succeeds Report Card includes additional information about the performance of schools and districts: msrc.mdek12.org
Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news
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Media Contact:
Jean Cook, APR
Chief of Communication
601-359-3515
jcook@mdek12.org
Shanderia Minor
Public Information Officer
601-359-3515
sminor@mdek12.org