WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: New rating system places only two school districts at top

New rating system places only two school districts at top

By  Julie Straw - bio | email | twitter

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Mississippi schools and school districts have new rankings and they may surprise some parents.  

It is part of the new accountability system that ranks schools and districts on academic achievement, student growth and graduation rate. 

Levels one through five are gone.  Seven new labels have moved in with the new accountability model.

"This new accountability plan is raising the bar so our kids can achieve at a higher level," said Interim State Superintendent of Education Dr. John Jordan.

The labels are ranked highest to lowest with Star at the top.  Only 4 percent of schools qualify for that label.  Next is High Performing, then Successful,  Academic Watch, Low Performing, At-risk of Failing and Failing.

Eight school districts are considered failing.  They are Indianola, Okolona, Hazlehurst, Coahoma County, Kemper, North Panola, Drew and West Tallahatchie school districts.

"Beginning now and two years out, these eight failing school districts will have to improve or be taken over.  Then people from outside their communities will be brought in to run their schools for them," said Jordan.

About 30 percent of Mississippi's 152 school districts are now considered At-risk of Failing, including Canton Public Schools.

Superintendent Dwight Luckett said the label doesn't tell the whole story and released this statement reading in part,  "We are pleased our efforts have already led to a higher graduation rate and a lower dropout rate as we continue to strive for greater student achievement.  Therefore, when you hear these new labels please also know that we are a work in progress."

According to Department of Education officials, this new rating model measures Mississippi children against others around the country and raises the bar to a much higher standard.

"Parents now can be comfortable that the label assigned to their schools lets them now know how the school is doing on a national average and not just within the state of Mississippi," said Jordan.

To see what every school and school district ranked, click here http://orshome.mde.k12.ms.us/ors/accountability/2009/index.html#results

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