Jackson Public Schools details corrective-action plan as district remains on probation

Doctor Merritt, the district official presenting the corrective-action plan, told the Jackson Public School District Board of Trustees that the district remains on probation with the Mississippi Department of Education and is pursuing a focused plan to clear accreditation deficiencies.

The administration recommended approval of the corrective-action plan for the 2526 school year and detailed three primary areas to clear: governance (standards 1.1 and 1.2), residency and immunization (standards 6.1 and 6.2), and cumulative/permanent record requirements (standard 8). "Currently, because we are still under a corrective action plan, our accreditation status is that of probation," Doctor Merritt said during his presentation.

Why it matters: MDE accreditation status affects district oversight and can shape where and when state monitors review district processes. Merritt said the corrective-action plan focuses on process improvements to records and stronger, documented school-level review procedures so the district can invite MDE to monitor progress prior to state testing.

Key facts and targets: Merritt said schools followed a schedule to review student records — 150 records in October, 100 in November and 100 in December, for a planned total review sample of 350 records — with an anticipated school-level completion target in February so MDE can perform a sampling review. He explained the district will use a spreadsheet checklist and that Doctor Strong’s office and the Office of Enrollment Services will sample and verify records, with MDE sampling roughly 10% of enrollments for compliance checks.

Progress reported: "As of today, we have cleared 21 of the 24 deficiencies that we were originally cited for," Merritt said. He added that roughly 21 of 35 schools (about 60%) have cleared standards 6.1 and 6.2. Merritt described the work as "tedious with records," but said administration and school teams are working cross‑functionally and partnering with MDE personnel to correct deficiencies.

Board response and next steps: Board members praised the progress while urging urgency to move the district off a "C" accountability rating and out of probation. Several members offered additional support and asked administration to return with targeted requests if extra resources could accelerate clearance. Merritt said there is no fixed statutory time limit to clear a corrective action plan: "You work on the corrective action plan until you clear all the deficiencies." He emphasized the dual focus on operational records work and ongoing academic supports to continue improving student outcomes.

Where this goes next: Administration plans to continue monthly policy review meetings, to provide regular milestone updates and to invite MDE review once school-level record reviews are complete. The board and administration agreed to prioritize the February timeline for internal completion and external monitoring.