The state's top public educator is telling U.S. lawmakers how Mississippi plans to meet new federal education regulation at a hearing in Washington, D.C. MPB's Alexis Ware reports.
Superintendent Carey Wright, is outlining the state's newest plan to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce in Washington, D.C. Mississippi Succeeds is the state companion to the federal government's Every Student Succeeds Act. The new policy gives more control to states and allows districts to implement the plan in their own way.
Superintendent Wright says offering more opportunity for career and college readiness will help Mississippi students.
"We're expanding career and technical education to provide continuous computer science education in grades K-12 and to provide our high school students with the opportunity to graduate with a career and technical diploma endorsement that is of equal value to an academic endorsement."
Wright highlighted one portion of the plan that includes improving teacher preparedness and effectiveness. Other goals are developing an accountability model for teachers and students, and closing the achievement gap between students.
Joyce Helmick is the President of Mississippi Association of Educators. She says teachers can play a vital role in helping to accomplish those objectives.
"Data is very important as well as understanding where their students are, understanding the student and the culture of the community, and where that student needs to go from where he is and as they do those gaps will close."
Wright and Helmick say sufficient funding is necessary to fulfill the plan.
