Mississippi House Bill HB864

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Failed: 2/4/25

Caption

State school and school district accountability system; eliminate certain criteria for measuring performance under.

Impact

The elimination of the 'A' through 'F' grading system introduces significant changes in how school performance is assessed. The new accountability system aims to provide a more detailed understanding of school effectiveness by combining state and federal accountability measures. This initiative seeks to enhance the transparency of school performance and ensure resources are adequately mobilized to improve student outcomes. Moreover, it requires schools to provide air-conditioned classroom spaces as a condition for accreditation, which could influence local funding and operational decisions.

Summary

House Bill 864 aims to amend the Mississippi Code to revise the state school and school district accountability system by eliminating the traditional letter grade designations of 'A' to 'F'. The primary objective of this bill is to implement a new performance-based accreditation system through the State Board of Education and the Commission on School Accreditation, thereby overhauling how public schools are evaluated and accredited. The bill mandates that all non-charter public elementary and secondary schools must adhere to this new system, which is set to be enacted from July 1, 2025.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding HB 864 revolves around the potential implications for local control and the effectiveness of state intervention. Proponents of the bill argue that the previous grading system was an oversimplified measure of educational performance that failed to capture the complexity of school dynamics. However, critics express concerns that replacing established grading systems with alternative accountability frameworks may obscure transparency and make it difficult for stakeholders to gauge academic achievement. Additionally, there are apprehensions regarding how state-imposed standards may affect local governance and autonomy over educational matters.