Education Dept. Releases School Grades

A majority of public school districts in Mississippi are being rated a C or higher. That’s according to the 2015-2016 school accountability results published by the state Department of Education. But a greater number of districts have received a failing grade than in recent years.

“We came up in our elementary school the year before last from an F to a C," says Amite County Schools Superintendent Scotty Whittington. His district was one of 19 around the state receiving a failing grade. "We kept all of those same programs in effect last year and we dropped from a C back to an F. So, we’re not exactly sure what happened ourselves. 

The 2015-16 accountability scores reflect how schools did on criteria like state tests, graduation rates and whether schools were able to show academic growth in their students.

“Everybody is focusing on the right things and all of our indicators are heading in the right direction,” says state Superintendent of Education Carey Wright. “Are we where we want to be? No. Are we heading in the right direction, and at a pace that I think is good? Absolutely. I’m pleased, and the districts should be pleased.”

89 school districts around the state earned a C or better rating. Another 35 received a D. The rest got an F.

That's significantly higher than last year’s results where no district received a failing grade. That’s because districts were under a special waiver from the federal government as they transitioned to new Common Core-aligned standards and tests.

Districts also had to contend with a new accountability model that placed greater emphasis on academic growth as well as student participation in advanced placements course, baccalaureate programs or dual-enrollment.

"That is a restart,” Wright explains. “When you add two new components to an accountability you can’t very well go back and measure from an accountability system that didn’t have to one that does have it, and it’s without the waiver.”

Mississippi’s charter schools were also given a rating. The two schools in operation last year received a D and F.