Commission on School Accreditation approves 2024–25 district and school performance classifications

JACKSON, Miss. — The Commission on School Accreditation voted Sept. 15 to approve district and school performance classifications for the 2024–25 school year based on accountability results from 2023–24.

The commission’s internal review committee had considered challenges from districts to preliminary accountability results. Alan Burrow, who reported to the commission, said 11 districts submitted reviews and that the committee applied existing business rules and declined all requested changes. Burrow said districts were notified of the committee’s decisions on Sept. 3, 2024.

The presentation to the commission, led by Paula Vanderford and Burrow, summarized statewide grade distributions and component scores. Vanderford highlighted that the preliminary data show 93.9% of districts were rated C or higher and 85.7% of schools were rated C or higher; the presenters also reported 70.3% of districts and 66.7% of schools earned an A or a B in the preliminary assignments.

Staff walked members through grade-change charts comparing 2017 and 2024 and described separate reporting models for elementary/middle (700-point model) and high schools (1,000-point model). Burrow identified the top-performing districts and schools by composite score; staff noted some declines in high school grades this year and attributed part of the movement to lower year-to-year growth following pandemic-related effects.

Commissioner Ayesha Maxwell asked about planned "test portal changes" and when any revisions might be presented. Vanderford told the commission there is not a confirmed proposal to present yet and summarized the direction staff and stakeholders are pursuing: expanding the readiness index to incorporate college- and career-readiness measures (including enrollment, employment and enlistment) and considering additional components such as ASVAB and JROTC completions.

Vanderford and staff also explained statutory triggers in state law that govern resetting cut scores: one provision requires resetting standards when 65% of schools or districts earn a B or higher; another provision ties resetting to a 75% proficiency threshold for students. Staff described ongoing stakeholder engagement with an accountability task force and a technical advisory committee. They outlined a projected timetable that would move proposed revisions through APA processes in 2025 and aim to present results under any revised rules in fall 2026 based on data from the 2025–26 school year.

Following the presentation, Doctor Grimes moved to approve the district and school performance classifications for 2024–25; Doctor Evers seconded. The commission approved the motion by voice vote and the chair announced the motion carries.

The commission also completed routine business at the meeting, including adoption of the meeting agenda and approvals of minutes from April 4 and Aug. 29, 2024. The chair reminded members the next meeting is scheduled for October and is expected to include consideration of accreditation-status assignments for the new school year. The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 a.m.

Sources: Commission on School Accreditation meeting, Sept. 15, 2024 (presentations and voice votes).