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Superintendent: State removed writing test and raised cut scores, leaving district unsure about funding and pay supplements
Summary
The district superintendent told the Pearl River County School District board that the state removed the writing portion of statewide tests and raised cut scores, and the district has not received guidance on how that will affect accountability metrics or funding for teacher raises and a proposed special-education supplement.
The district’s superintendent told the Board of Education on July 9 that the state Department of Education removed the writing portion of the statewide assessment and raised cut scores, leaving the district without clear guidance on accountability and funding.
The superintendent said the district learned it would not receive the writing scores and that the state had changed cut scores this year. “It will not be used,” the superintendent said of the writing portion. He added district leaders do not yet know how the changes will affect planning and budget decisions for the coming school year and that state officials are expected to provide more guidance at an upcoming conference.
The superintendent noted the state announced a $2,000 across-the-board pay increase for teachers and a separate $2,000 supplement for special-education teachers, but said the district has not been told who qualifies for the supplement. “We know we’re eating those $2,000 pay raises, but…and we’re gonna eat those supplements as well,” the superintendent said, describing the district’s financial uncertainty until the state issues implementation details.
Board members pressed for clarification about whether the writing score would factor into accountability or funding. Board member Mister Frazier asked, “So you said that writing portion won’t be used at all, or we don’t know for sure?” The superintendent replied that the writing portion “will not be used.”
District officials said they use assessment scores to plan for the next school year and that changes to assessment content and cut scores complicate curriculum and budget planning. The superintendent said the district hopes to get specific guidance during a statewide conference scheduled for next week.
The board did not take formal action on this item; members discussed next steps including inviting state legislators to provide clarification and said staff would seek updated guidance at the state meeting.
