Mississippi House Bill HB420

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/5/22
• Refer: 1/5/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Districts of Innovations; require State Department of Education to recognize use of Cambridge Assessment or other nationally recognized assessment for accountability ratings.

Impact

The implementation of HB 420 is aimed at enhancing the accountability framework within school districts engaging in innovative practices. By allowing these districts to utilize alternative assessments in place of the traditional MAAP assessments, the bill encourages schools to adopt diverse, potentially more effective educational strategies. This shift may lead to improved educational outcomes and greater local control in addressing the unique needs of students in different communities.

Summary

House Bill 420 amends sections of the Mississippi Code pertaining to educational accountability. The bill requires the State Department of Education to recognize student performance in schools identified as 'districts of innovation' that utilize nationally recognized assessments such as the Cambridge Assessment. The intent is to ensure that these innovative educational approaches are acknowledged when assigning school and district accountability ratings, thereby offering more flexibility in how academic performance is evaluated within these districts.

Contention

While proponents argue that the bill fosters innovation in the education system and helps to identify best practices, there are concerns regarding the reliability of alternative assessment methods. Critics worry that this could lead to discrepancies in performance evaluations and accountability comparisons between traditional and innovative districts. Additionally, the reliance on nationally recognized assessments might unintentionally marginalize schools that do not have the resources to adopt such innovative practices, thereby creating inequality in educational opportunities.