Nearly three quarters of schools and 70% of districts will be rated C or higher when the Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) officially approves accountability grades Thursday for the 2018-19 school year. The grades show a three-year trend of continuous school and district improvement.
Quitman School District is one of those 70%. The SBE unofficially released test score assessment results Tuesday and Quitman School District scored 544 points out of 700 to move up the ratings ladder from a D to a C. For the 2018-19 school year, the district scored 524 points, and 515 in 2017-18.
Mississippi’s A-F accountability system evaluates how well schools and districts are performing each year. Accountability grades are based, in part, on how well students perform and progress from year to year on the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) tests for English language arts (ELA) and Mathematics. These tests are aligned to the Mississippi College and Career Ready Standards and are administered annually to students in grades 3-8 and in high school. Overall, students showed statistically significant gains in both ELA and Mathematics from 2017-18 to 2018-19.
Superintendent Dr. Toriano Holloway was elated telling of the results. “One thing I find very important to mention is this school district has rated a D since 2014,” stated Dr. Holloway. “We are now a C and only plan to go up.”
The SBE set a goal in 2016 that all schools and districts be rated C or higher. Since that time, the percentage of schools meeting this goal has risen from 62.4% in 2016 to 73.5% in 2019. The percentage of districts meeting the goal has increased from 62.2% to 69.7%.
Quitman Junior High increased a huge 73 points this year from a D to a C.
“We have a curriculum committee that meets every summer to make sure we are all aligned and on the same page,” added Holloway. “Our teachers came back in this year with the first nine weeks prepared for and then go back and make adjustments where needed. All kids get math and ELA workbooks to take home now. Giving the kids and teachers the resources they need has made a big difference.”
“Mississippi schools and districts are achieving at higher levels each year, and their grades demonstrate how well they are serving the children in their classrooms,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “I am extremely proud of our students and their families and every teacher, staff member, and leader who work hard every day in our schools and districts across the state. Together, families, communities, and educators are preparing students to be successful in college, the workforce, and life.”
The Lower Elementary maintained their C rating, but come down 22 points. “According to Dr. Holloway, their score is assigned a grade based off how children perform in the 4th grade. The children who are counted are the ones who have been in QSD from kindergarten through 4th grade. “Once the child leaves them (QLE), teachers have no control over the child but still get the accountability. They maintained their C for a second year,” stated Holloway.
The Upper Elementary lost 68 points from 369 to 301 going from a C to a D. “The Upper did go down,” stated Holloway. “They had one sub group that did not perform well and that subgroup affects you in several areas. Their proficiency is up which is a great thing. They are moving in the right direction as far as proficiency.”
High School rating also stayed at a C but come down 16 points from 646 to 630.
Dr. Holloway feels confident they are on track. “The teachers have focused in on educating every individual child. They pay attention to every child. We break down the data and focus on those areas. That has had the biggest impact. Discipline is also down by 700 referrals this year and will be more by next year. We are pushing hard towards a B status and the potential is here. This success has motivated us to get to the next level.”
“Student achievement on MAAP reached an all-time high in 2018-19 because teachers are challenging students to achieve at a higher level,” Wright said. “I am a firm believer that students can and will achieve more when they are challenged and supported by great teachers who help them meet higher expectations.”
When asked about the district as a whole, Dr. Holloway stated, “We have great teachers. Our administration and our school board supports the teachers and makes sure they have the resources they need. We now have robotics and coding and will start to compete. We are adding a virtual reality program. We are the first in the area to start a volleyball program.”
In his own words on Quitman School District, “We are setting the trend for education!”
