Mississippi House Bill HB118

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/22
• Refer: 1/4/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Statewide testing program; require the SBE to cease administration of for the 2021-2022 school year.

Impact

The implications of HB 118 highlight an acknowledgment of the educational disruptions caused by the pandemic, as schools adapted to virtual learning during extended closures. By suspending testing and accountability measures, the bill aims to alleviate the pressure on students and schools, allowing them to focus on educational recovery rather than punitive assessments. However, some critics are concerned that this suspension could lead to gaps in educational accountability and hinder the identification of schools needing improvement.

Summary

House Bill 118 seeks to halt the administration of all assessments under the statewide testing program for the 2021-2022 school year, following a state of emergency declared by the Governor due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This cessation impacts various assessments, including the Third-Grade Reading Assessment and the Eleventh Grade ACT, which are integral for determining accountability ratings for school districts and individual schools. The bill mandates that the State Board of Education must ensure that no accountability ratings are assigned to school districts for this academic year, thereby protecting them from potential negative evaluations stemming from performance during this unprecedented time.

Contention

The most significant point of contention surrounding the bill is centered on educational accountability and standards. While supporters argue that the suspension is necessary to accommodate the educational challenges posed by COVID-19, detractors caution that waiving accountability measures may prevent crucial data collection that is essential for assessing the effectiveness of educational strategies. This raises debates on how to balance the need for accountability in education against the realities of emergencies that disrupt conventional learning environments.