Mississippi’s graduation rates are up, dropout rates are down and ACT scores remain constant, according to a report released by the Mississippi Department of Education this week.
MDE also released data on local school districts, and while local districts will not be held to state accountability standards this year, MDE said districts should use the numbers to measure how their district will fare next year.
Mississippi high school students achieved a graduation rate of 87.7% in 2019-20, surpassing the most recent national rate of 85%.
Highlighted achievements from 2019-20 include:
• The statewide drop-out rate fell to an historic low of 8.8%, a decrease from 13.9% in 2014.
• The graduation rate for students with disabilities reached an all-time high of 55.4%, more than double the rate of 23.2% in 2014.
The 2019-20 graduation report supports the significant academic gains Mississippi students have been making since the state fully implemented higher academic standards in 2014.
“Mississippi students are recognized nationally for the tremendous academic growth they have achieved in recent years,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “I am incredibly proud of our state’s teachers, school leaders and parents, who have committed themselves to ensuring students complete high school prepared for college, postsecondary training, the military and the workforce.”
High school students now have the opportunity to earn an endorsement with their high school diploma. Starting in their freshman year, students choose whether they want to work toward a traditional diploma, or take additional classes to earn an academic, distinguished academic or career and technical education endorsement. Students can earn more than one endorsement.
Each diploma option prepares students to be successful after graduation, whether that be in the workforce, a career and technical training program, the military or college.
Students who earn an academic or distinguished academic diploma endorsement from a public high school automatically qualify for admission into any of the state’s public universities.
ACT SCORES
MDE also released ACT results for the spring 2020 statewide administration of the ACT to all public high school juniors.
The average score for juniors increased from 17.6 in 2019 to 17.7 in 2020. The percentage of juniors meeting the benchmark scores for all four tested ACT subjects increased from 9% the previous two years to 10%.
Scores for Mississippi public school students who graduated in 2020 decreased from 18.1 to 17.9, and the percentage of students meeting all four benchmarks remained flat at 10%.
The national average ACT score for all students in the class of 2020, which includes public and private school students, was 20.6, down from 20.7 in 2019. ACT scores nationwide have dropped in recent years as the population of students taking the test has broadened.
The ACT is designed to predict how well students will perform in college, and colleges use standardized tests like the ACT to compare students across schools and states. ACT research shows students who take four or more years of English and three or more years each of math, social studies and natural science typically outperform their peers who report taking fewer courses in these subjects.
“Taking certain courses in high school substantially increases students’ readiness for college-level work and workforce training programs,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “Families are encouraged to work with high school counselors to ensure students are taking courses that will prepare them for their goals after graduation.”
The MDE provides districts with training related to analyzing ACT data, evaluating course taking patterns and designing ACT preparation courses. All school districts are now required to offer two specialized classes, the Essentials for College Literacy and the Essentials for College Math, to seniors who are on the cusp of meeting the ACT benchmark scores. All students who earn a grade of 80% or higher in these courses are entitled to enter credit-bearing college courses, without remediation, at all Mississippi public universities and community colleges.
School Assessments
All required federal and statewide assessments will be administered to public-school students this school year, including the 3rd Grade Reading Assessment and high school assessments for Algebra I, English II, Biology and U.S. History.
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has provided districts with pandemic-related flexibilities to make it easier to administer the assessments and to schedule in-person testing for virtual learners.
Schools are expected to provide safe testing accommodations to full-time virtual learners who are able go to their school campus to test. Virtual learners are strongly urged to be tested, though schools cannot require students to show up for testing.
“The assessments identify students’ strengths and areas for improvement to ensure they are on track for the next grade and eventually, college and career,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “This year’s statewide assessments will provide valuable information about the impact of COVID-19 on learning and will help identify where accelerated learning opportunities for students are most needed.”
Current 3rd graders are not required to meet a passing score on the reading assessment to be promoted to 4th grade for the 2021-22 school year. Students still must meet all other district requirements for promotion.
This school year, high school students who take required end-of-course high school assessments including Algebra I, English II, Biology and U.S. History are not required to meet a passing score to meet high school graduation requirements. Students must meet all other state and district requirements to graduate.
LOCAL SCHOOL SCORES
The following are the Graduation Rate and Dropout Ratearea schools. The number were compiled by the Mississippi Department of Education based on data submitted by individual district. Count refers to the number of students in the survey sample.
GRADUATION RATE
School/District Count Rate
Clarksdale HS 163 82.8%
Cleveland HS 251 82.9%
Coahoma Co. AHS 81 91.4%
Coahoma County 47 80.9%
East Tallahatchie 70 91.4%
North Bolivar 58 87.9%
Quitman Co. 68 95.6%
Sunflower Co. 262 79.8%
Tunica Co. 136 88.2%
West Bolivar 100 82.0%
West Tallahatchie 45 91.1%
State of Miss. 33,547 87.7%
(The Graduation Rate is figured on a four year average and includes students who go on to get their GED.)
• Quitman County had state’s 8th highest rate.
• Coahoma Co. AHS had state’s 30th highest rate.
DROPOUT RATE
School/District Count Rate
Clarksdale 163 10.4%
Cleveland 251 13.1%
Coahoma Co. AHS 81 8.6%
Coahoma Co. 47 10.6%
East Tallahatchie 70 7.1%
North Bolivar 58 8.6%
Quitman Co. 68 1.5%
Sunflower Co. 262 17.2%
Tunica Co. 136 8.1%
West Bolivar 100 5.0%
West Tallahatchie 45 8.9%
State of Miss 33,547 8.8%
(The Dropout Rate is also figured on a four year average and includes students who do not get their GED in the four years after graduation.)
• Quitman County had state’s 9th lowest dropout rate.
• West Bolivar had state’s 29th lowest dropout rate.
ACT SCORES
(Grade 11, Spring/Fall 2020)
School/Dist. 2020 Avg. Count
Clarksdale 15.0 153
Cleveland 16.3 175
Coahoma AHS 15.5 66
Coahoma Co. 15.2 43
E. Tallahatchie 15.2 43
N. Bolivar 14.9 57
Quitman Co. 13.9 66
Sunflower Co. 15.1 202
Tunica Co. 15.6 95
West Bolivar 15.1 66
W. Tallahatchie 14.2 35
State of Miss 2020 17.7 28,394
