MDE releases school and district accountability grades for 2024-25 school year

JANS – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released accountability grades for the 2024-25 school year. Mississippi’s accountability grades are designed to help teachers, school leaders, parents, and communities know how well their local schools and districts serve their students.

MDE’s report shows 80.1% of schools and 87.2% of districts earned a grade of C or higher. This represents a decrease from the 2023-24 school year, when 85.7% of schools and 93.9% of districts earned a C or higher.

Statewide student assessment data make up a large part of accountability grades. The 2024-25 Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) results, released on August 21, 2025, showed both increases and decreases in proficiency rates across all grades and subjects.

“While Mississippi has made historic progress over the past decade, the areas of declining achievement demand our immediate attention,” said Dr. Lance Evans, State Superintendent of Education. “The accountability grades provide important data to guide our work moving forward. Mississippi students have proven they can achieve at higher levels, and we owe it to them to continue challenging and supporting them so every graduate is prepared for lifelong success.”

MDE reports changes in the accountability model are being made for the 2025-2026 school year.  Among these changes are expanded college and career readiness measures.

“We will maintain rigorous academic standards through new minimum proficiency targets while we expand recognition for graduation achievements and industry certifications that lead directly to good-paying jobs,” Dr. Evans said. “This balanced approach will ensure we are measuring what matters most for each student’s individual path to success.”

The MDE is also working with stakeholders to create a new Strategic Plan for PreK-12 Education in Mississippi, scheduled for release in early 2026.

Mississippi’s education progress during the past decade has been recognized nationally. In 2025, the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Book ranked Mississippi 16th in the nation for education, compared to 48th in 2014.

For more information, visit https://msrc.mdek12.org.