Statewide MAP results show gains; MDE says alternate assessment exceeds federal 1% cap

The Mississippi Department of Education presented results from the spring 2024 Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAP) at its Aug. 4 board meeting, reporting statewide increases in proficiency in several subjects while flagging a compliance issue for alternate testing.

Dr. Vandiford, presenting the MAP overview, said statewide proficiency for the previous school year reached an all-time high in mathematics at 56.3 percent, 47.8 percent in English language arts and 63.4 percent in science. U.S. history showed a small decline to 70.9 percent from 71.4 percent the prior year, the presentation said. Vandiford reviewed grade- and district-level trends, noting gains in many grades and districts and calling out Long Beach and Ocean Springs among districts in the top 10 across all content areas.

The presentation also addressed the alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities (MAP-A). Vandiford told the board that MDE’s reported participation on the alternate assessment currently exceeds the federal 1 percent cap and that the department’s current figure is roughly 1.8 percent. "We test more students than what the federal law allows us to test, and so we are working with assessment and the Office of Special Education to reduce that rate," Vandiford said.

Board members asked about consequences for exceeding the cap. Dr. Boone, who answered during the question period, said MDE is receiving federal technical assistance and reviewing internal policies and district procedures for test coordinators and special education directors. Boone warned that, in a severe enforcement action, federal funding could be affected, though he added that the state had not experienced that outcome so far. "If they wanted to really put a hammer down, it could then impact our federal funding," Boone said.

MDE said it has made preliminary accountability results available to districts for two weeks of local review and appeals, and it plans increased training to ensure districts test only students who meet alternate-assessment eligibility criteria. Vandiford apologized for providing multiple versions of backup materials during the board packet process and said the full charts and district breakdowns would be posted publicly after the meeting.

The board accepted the informational presentation. The department said it will pursue policy and training changes aimed at bringing MAP-A participation into alignment with federal limits and will continue to work with federal offices on technical assistance and compliance.

The accountability task force was also announced for the following day to further address policy and accountability systems.