Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Dr. Wright explains what new tests will mean for students

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carey Wright posted the following column explaining the school ratings and new tests on the Mississippi Department of Education website:

Beginning April 25, 2016, the majority of Mississippi students will take new assessments aligned to the state’s learning goals. The Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP) will ask students in grades 3-8 and in high school Algebra I and English II to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in areas such as critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem solving.

Although it’s a new test, these concepts will be familiar to students. Our teachers have done an outstanding job of helping students meet higher academic guidelines for the past five years. MAP will measure what students are learning and inform parents and teachers whether students are meeting expectations for their grade level.


MAP replaces the PARCC (Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) test. Mississippi ended its membership in the multistate testing consortium. As a result, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), in collaboration with educators from around the state, worked hard to develop a test for our students. This was no small feat considering the tight timeline to design a statewide online assessment aligned to our standards. In April 2015, Questar Assessment was awarded the contract to administer the assessments, and the test needed to be ready for students by December for high schools on a 4 by 4 schedule.

To provide some context, a statewide assessment that normally takes up to 18 months to develop had to be ready in slightly more than a third of that time. In December, nearly 19,000 students took the MAP assessments in Algebra I and English II.

We anticipate approximately 295,000 students will take the MAP assessment in the next few weeks. With the rollout of a new online assessment, we expect some technology glitches, and we have plans in place to address those should they arise.

While no single test can give a complete picture of achievement, when combined with student grades and teacher reports, annual assessments provide important information about student progress. We also realize students are more than test scores. Assessments should be used as a tool to determine if students are on the right track for college, the workforce or the military.

We know that too many students are not prepared to do college-level work—or to compete for skilled jobs after graduation. The MDE and school districts across the state are working to close the “skills gap”—and ensure our children graduate ready to succeed.

We have raised standards to reflect college and career readiness in the 21st century because we want students to be successful. Today’s colleges and employers seek young adults who can:

Analyze and solve problems,
Apply math, science, and technology in real-world settings, and
Write and think clearly.

We are committed to student achievement, and MAP sets a high bar for our students. We are confident that with the quality instruction delivered by our dedicated educators, and support from parents, our students can meet and exceed these expectations.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good idea. If they keep looking they will find a test the kids can pass. Got to be one somewhere. Until then just keep stuffing tax money in their pockets and letting the streets educate the kids.

Anonymous said...

It is a very well written article. I like the 1,2,3 summary of what colleges and employers demand. Very similar to what our formerly civilized society demanded. Only we used to include moral values and almost formed characters. This was the minimal expectation. Honor was included in every phase of education, not just because the State thought it necessary. Society demanded honor be taught and modeled for every student.

Anonymous said...

40% of my children's instructive class time is now spent learning how to take these tests. Absurd.

Anonymous said...

11:29, just think what the failure rate would be if they didn't spend 40% of classroom work on just the one test.

Game Leg said...

How long will it be before we stop laughing at this woman and run her ass out of town on a rail?

Sheriff Andy would have taken her to the edge of town to meet the train months ago.

Anonymous said...

Run her out of town? She will more likely be in line for a huge raise. Remember this is Ms.

Anonymous said...

Cute reply 8:42; but I'm sure even someone who thinks the postal designation for MS is Ms knows there is no possibility of this individual receiving a salary increase.

Anonymous said...

The MAP is not a new test. It was first administered in the 2015-2016 school year. I heard that many of the questions are not from teachers in our state.

Anonymous said...

7:56, and why would that be a problem? We are #50 in education. Teachers have some blame for that. Why would we need teachers from Ms. making up a test? Do you think people educated in Ms. are not going to leave the state sometime in their life? We are already at a disadvantage if we do try to leave. Why increase it by letting the teachers in Ms. make up the test?

Anonymous said...

9:22 AM When you re-read the article, you will note the statement that MS teachers are supposed to have written the questions. I have heard that that is not true, and the questions came from other states due to the short time to prepare the test. Mississippi, like other states, does have some excellent teachers, but they are hindered by their district and by the Dept. of Ed. Let's use our in-state talent rather than exorbitantly pay out-of-staters to create our tests.

Anonymous said...

The kids in Ms. should be able to pass the same test kids in other states pass. If they can not pass the same test there is a problem and it isn't that teachers in Ms. did not write the questions.



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In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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