March 22, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – A review of the Mississippi Department of Education’s implementation of the Literacy-Based Promotion Act showcased “many accomplishments” and “noticeable improvements in supporting teaching and learning around literacy,” according to a report from the Southeast Comprehensive Center (SECC), an affiliate of the American Institutes for Research (AIR).
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) created a system of supports that were intended to address the needs of learners by addressing the needs of their teachers and school personnel positioned to lead educational change, the SECC team found. The MDE established an Early Childhood Office, a Reading Office, and an Intervention Services Office, which provide direct supports and professional development to teachers. MDE also initiated the “Strong Readers = Strong Leaders” public awareness campaign and strategic-planning efforts.
“Within two years after Mississippi passed its Literacy-Based Promotion Act, the MDE responded to the specifications of the act with focused, purposeful actions and mechanisms that included research-based interventions to advance the teaching and learning of literacy,” according to the report.
The report acknowledges that in the midst of accomplishments, challenges remain. These include the need to expand the focus of literacy beyond 3rd grade and additional funding for assisting struggling readers in grades below and above 3rd grade. Also, efforts to retain qualified teachers are needed to address the significant turnover among kindergarten through 3rd grade teachers coming from nontraditional preparation programs.
In addition, beginning July 1, state law will require elementary education majors to pass the Foundations of Reading Exam to receive educator licenses.
The report noted MDE’s efforts to address the above challenges, including the appointment of a K–12 state literacy director to expand supports to teachers statewide and the appointment of a director of intervention services to provide school districts with guidance on the effective implementation of a multi-tiered system of supports for students.
“We are pleased to see the review of the agency’s work around training and supporting our teachers statewide to develop students’ reading skills. This report confirms that we are moving in the right direction and provides a roadmap for where we need to go,” said Dr. Kim Benton, MDE’s chief academic officer.
The report suggests that promising practices and signs of momentum are emerging as the state takes on the literacy challenge. “It will be up to Mississippi’s policymakers and educators … students, parents, and the broader community to coalesce and keep the literacy initiative moving toward higher achievement.”
A copy of the report can be found here.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
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Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
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