TCSD maintains “B” for second year
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released accountability grades for the 2022-23 school year, which show 91% of districts earned a grade of C or higher including both the Senatobia and Tate County School Districts.
The grades are an improvement over 2021-22, when approximately 87% of districts were rated C or higher. In 2016, when the Mississippi State Board of Education set a goal that all schools and districts be rated C or higher, the percentage of schools and districts meeting that goal were both 62%.
Locally, the Senatobia Municipal School District improved a full letter grade and received a rating of “A” while Tate County Schools maintained a “B” for the second consecutive year.
“What an amazing accomplishment,” said Chris Fleming, superintendent of Senatobia schools. “I want to say a big thanks and congratulations to our students, teachers, staff and administrators for the tireless effort they put in to achieve this ‘A’ rating. Every one of our schools has shown marked growth evidenced by the fact Senatobia High School received an ‘A’ for the first time. We also could not have done this without our parents and their support. It’s a great day to be a Warrior.”
Individually, Senatobia High was rated an “A”, Senatobia Elementary a “B” and Senatobia Middle School earned a “C”.
Schools in the Tate County School District receiving “B” ratings were East Tate Elementary, Strayhorn Elementary, Independence High and Strayhorn High. Both Coldwater Elementary and now defunct Coldwater High School were rated “C”. Independence High School was a “C” school in 2021-22.
“We attribute maintaining our level of a ‘B’ to the dedication of our teachers and students each day,” said Alee’ Dixon, TCSD superintendent. “Each staff member strives daily to grow each child. We are proud of the work accomplished through the many obstacles. There is still room for growth and our teachers and students are ready to meet the challenge.”
Statewide student assessment data make up a large part of accountability grades. In 2022-23, the overall percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced reached an all-time high in mathematics, English Language Arts (ELA), science and U.S. History.
Senatobia School District scored 55.4% in math proficiency, 37.1 in ELA progress, 49.6% in science and 76.7% in U.S. History. SMSD also had a graduation rate of 90.2%.
Tate County School District scored 45.1% in math proficiency, 42.1 in ELA progress, 53.2% in science and 77.2% in U.S. History. TCSD’s graduation rate was 81.3%.
“I am honored to serve alongside such amazing students, teachers, and staff who work each day to improve regardless of what obstacles might be in the way,” Dixon added. “We will continue this year to work together to achieve team excellence in Tate County Schools.”
Mississippi’s accountability grades help teachers, school leaders, parents and communities know how well their local schools and districts are serving their students. The components of the state’s accountability system are based on state and federal law and State Board policy. They include:
• Student proficiency and growth rates in ELA and Mathematics in grades 3-8
• Growth of the lowest performing 25% of students in ELA and Mathematics
• Science proficiency in grades 5 and 8
• English Learner progress toward becoming proficient in the English language
• Performance on the ACT and high school Algebra I, English II, Biology and U.S. History assessments
• Student participation and performance in advanced coursework such as Advanced Placement and dual credit/dual enrollment courses
• Four-year graduation rate
“This year’s school and district grades provide further evidence that Mississippi teachers, school leaders and staff have done an outstanding job helping students accelerate learning after the disruptions of the pandemic,” said Dr. Raymond Morgigno, interim state superintendent of education. “I am confident our schools will build upon these achievements so that all students are proficient and prepared for success after high school.”
Neighboring Tunica County School District made improvements while under state leadership in 2022-23 because of poor academic performance or a state of emergency.
Tunica County Schools maintained a “B” for the second consecutive year after achieving a “C” in 2018, improving upon a four-year track record of D and F grades. The district will return to local control in January 2024.
Gov. Tate Reeves released the following statement on the improvement in accountability grades for Mississippi schools during the 2022-2023 school year:
“These results further solidify that Mississippi’s education system is on the rise, and our state is clearly delivering for Mississippi students,” he said. “I want to thank all the hardworking teachers, parents, and students who helped us get here. These results are a testament to years of effort to successfully strengthen Mississippi’s education system. It is because of you that the eyes of the nation have turned to our state as a model for how to effectively educate students. The Mississippi Miracle is real, and our kids are learning more than ever before.”
