State school and school district accountability system; eliminate certain criteria for measuring performance under.
By removing the letter grading system, the bill intends to foster a more comprehensive approach to evaluating school performance. The new system is set to incorporate various metrics for student achievement and growth, placing emphasis on addressing the needs of the lowest performing students. The bill also specifies that all school districts must provide adequate classroom conditions, such as air conditioning, as a basic requirement for accreditation.
House Bill 728 is aimed at revising the state school and school district accountability system in Mississippi by eliminating the traditional 'A' through 'F' grade designations that schools receive. Instead, the bill proposes a permanent performance-based accreditation system that non-charter public elementary and secondary schools must adhere to. This system is expected to establish clear standards and expectations for schools in terms of performance, compliance, and accountability within the educational ecosystem.
Notably, the bill introduces a structure where the State Board of Education can impose severe measures on districts that fail to meet standards, including the potential for state intervention in governance. The establishment of a 'School District Emergency Assistance Fund' demonstrates a significant shift in how educational funding and resources will be allocated, especially in districts facing financial hardships. There is anticipated contention around how these changes might affect localized decision-making and the perceived loss of autonomy for school districts, particularly around staffing and operational decisions.