The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has released statewide results from the 2018-19 Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP).
In the charts below, The Star-Herald presents the local results for all tested grades at both the school and district level, and compares them to state averages.
MAAP measures student progress toward attaining the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce or higher education by testing student performance in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in grades 3-8, as well as in high school English II and Algebra I.
According to the MDE, one-third of students met or exceeded grade-level expectations in ELA and mathematics when the tests were first administered in 2015-16. In the most recent testing, closer to half of students met or exceeded expectations in each subject.
MAAP tests have five levels. Students scoring at Levels 4 and 5 are considered proficient or advanced in the subject.
“Students scoring at Level 4 or 5 — proficient or advanced — have a thorough understanding of grade-level content and are on track to being ready for college-level coursework,” explanatory material released by the state explains. “Students scoring at Level 3 demonstrate a general mastery of the knowledge and skills required for success in the grade or course, and they are approaching expectations for that grade or course. Students scoring a Level 1 or 2 need more assistance in learning the content and are in need of greater supports.”
Mississippi Superintendent of Education Carey Wright said that while no single test can give a complete picture of achievement, annual assessments can provide important information about student progress and areas for improvement — especially when combined with student grades and teacher feedback.
“Statewide assessments ensure that children in every school are achieving the learning goals for each grade level,” Wright said. “When students score proficient or advanced, parents can be assured their child’s school is providing a quality education that has prepared students to be successful in the next grade.”
