State board hears third‑grade reading results, approves contracts and moves to closed session

The Mississippi State Board of Education on May 16 received a presentation from department staff on third‑grade reading assessment results, approved five contracts for department services and voted to enter an executive session to discuss personnel and litigation strategy.

State Department of Education presenters told the board that 75.7 percent of students passed the initial administration of the third‑grade reading assessment this year, a slight decrease from 76.3 percent the previous year but above the pre‑pandemic 2018–19 rate of 74.5 percent. "Seventy‑five point seven percent of the students passed the initial administration of the third grade reading assessment this year," a department presenter said.

Department staff reported 45 percent of districts had 80 percent or more of students meeting promotion requirements; nine districts had 90 percent or more; and 11 districts had 50…