The Mississippi Board of Education convened on April 18, 2024, to discuss significant revisions to the state's public school accountability standards. The meeting focused on the approval process for changes prompted by an audit of the accountability system, which revealed non-compliance with federal law.

The first item on the agenda was presented by Dr. Vandiver, who outlined the need to revise the business rules of the statewide accountability system. The proposed changes are set to take effect immediately for the current school year and will influence the accountability results reported in the fall.

Dr. Vandiver explained that the revisions stemmed from feedback received from school districts and the accountability task force. The first section addressed participation rates, clarifying that the ACT is now included in participation calculations for high schools and that all students enrolled in April are counted for grades 3 through 8. This clarification does not alter current practices.

The next section discussed growth metrics, where it was noted that previous practices allowed for exceeding maximum points allocated for growth, which is now being corrected to comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This change will limit growth points to a maximum of 100 or 95, depending on the school's English Learner progress measure.

Further discussions included adjustments to acceleration metrics, where bonus points were capped to prevent exceeding maximum allocations. Additionally, changes were made to align with Senate Bill 2487, which mandates equal weighting for Advanced Placement (AP) exams and dual credit courses in accountability assessments.

The meeting also covered the banking of scores, clarifying that students must meet full academic year requirements for their scores to be included in accountability calculations. Sections related to school improvement designations were updated to reflect previously approved amendments to the ESSA state plan.

Finally, the board addressed accountability for schools without tested grades, such as K-2 schools, by implementing a system to back map assessment data from students who previously attended those schools. This practice was extended to charter schools, ensuring that assessment data can be utilized for accountability purposes.

The meeting concluded with a call for any further questions, emphasizing the importance of clear communication regarding these changes to school districts. The revisions aim to enhance the accountability framework and ensure compliance with federal regulations, ultimately supporting improved educational outcomes in Mississippi.