Each year, the state’s schools are given an A- F grade based on things like state test scores and graduation rates. For 2024, nearly 86% of schools and nearly 94% of districts earned a grade of C or higher.
Mississippi's state superintendent of education, Dr. Lance Evans, says these scores show the success story the state's public school system has become in recent years.
“I think it's a great success story,” Evans said. “It's a testament to all the work that our students and teachers and administrators and parents and communities are doing for our students and our schools to see the transition and the growth that we've had academically over the last several years.
More districts than ever earned ratings of C or higher for 2024, but the number of schools receiving A or B ratings decreased.
Statewide, proficiency scores in math, science, reading and U.S. history improved over last year. Overall growth in math and reading performance decreased though. Paula Vanderford, the education department's chief accountability officer, says that's expected after a period of rapid growth like the state has seen over the last decade.
“That tends to happen as your proficiency rates get better and improve,” Vanderford said. “It's a little bit more challenging for those students at the higher end to meet growth.”
State law requires the scoring model for schools to be reworked after 65% of schools earn a B or higher, a metric hit last year. An accountability task force is currently examining how to do that, with the plan to have new, higher standards in place in 2026.
