“Mississippi is once again putting students first. By raising the bar on what it takes to earn an A-F grade in the accountability system, the State Board of Education is reaffirming its commitment to academic rigor and transparent information.
“At a time when some states are lowering expectations or masking troubling performance trends, Mississippi is taking the opposite approach. The Board’s action ensures parents, educators and policymakers receive a clear and accurate picture of how schools and students are performing, so the right supports, interventions and resources can be delivered when and where they are needed.
“This thoughtful collaboration between the State Board of Education and the Mississippi Department of Education, teachers, district leaders and technical experts reflects the state’s continued commitment to student learning and rising academic performance. Mississippi’s nationally recognized improvements on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) show what is possible when a state maintains strong standards, high expectations and a commitment to accountability and transparency.
“We are grateful for the leadership of Superintendent Lance Evans and the Mississippi State Board of Education for prioritizing students and upholding the integrity of the accountability system. Yesterday’s action strengthens the policies that have helped Mississippi deliver one of the most significant turnarounds in student learning in the country.”
About Mississippi’s Accountability System and 2024 NAEP Scores
Mississippi law requires increases to student, school and district performance standards within the state’s A-F accountability system when statewide proficiency exceeds 75% or when 65% of schools or districts earn a grade of “B” or higher.
After a decade of improved school grading outcomes, during the 2024-25 school year, 87% of school districts and 80% of schools earned an “A,” “B” or “C” rating, leaving only nine school districts statewide earning a “D” or “F”.
The Board’s action this week to increase A-F performance level cuts follows the recommendations from the Accountability Standard Setting Committee, which includes district leaders, legislative officials and national experts.
Mississippi is 9th in the nation in fourth grade reading and has risen to 16th in fourth grade math, and is among the best states in the nation for a Black, Hispanic or low-income student to learn to read and compute, demonstrating the power of sustained focus on student achievement.
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