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Board approves renewals and start-ups for districts and schools of innovation
Summary
The board approved six school/district innovation renewals and start-ups, including Meridian High School and renewals for Tupelo and Oxford districts. Presenters emphasized measurable goals for ACT, graduation, dual-credit and CTE outcomes.
The Mississippi Board of Education approved renewals and new applications for districts and schools of innovation covering six sites and districts across the state.
Board members approved a new application for Meridian High School to become a school of innovation implementing "wall-to-wall" career academies (ninth-grade exploratory academy followed by arts, business or health academies). The board also approved new or renewed innovation status for Richland High School (Rankin County), Pontotoc High School, Tupelo School District (renewal), Oxford School District (renewal) and George County High School (renewal).
Why it matters: The school/district of innovation status allows local leaders to seek limited regulatory flexibility under Mississippi code and state board policy to implement schedule changes, career academies, middle-college pathways and other innovations aimed at improving college and career readiness.
Staff described specific measurable goals tied to each application. Meridian aims to raise ACT scores and graduation rates and increase endorsements and WorkKeys performance. Richland plans a "skinny block" for remediation and enrichment to increase attendance, CTE certifications and AP participation. Pontotoc proposed a 5-by-5 block to reduce structural barriers and boost MAP, AP/dual-credit participation and English-learner growth. Tupelo's renewal included targets that by 2029 60% of seniors will leave with 12 hours of dual-credit/AP and 70% of ninth-graders will have career interests and work-based learning; Oxford proposed raising assessed-area proficiency by 18% and achieving a 96% graduation rate; George County reported prior gains in WorkKeys performance and CTE graduate percentages.
The board approved the slate in a single motion. Presenters and board members described the program as a vehicle for spreading successful scheduling and career-connection models across the state.
