November 10, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released today district-level student achievement gap databy student subgroups, which shows how proficiency levels among different racial and socio-economic groups vary within districts.
The achievement gap report is based on the results of the Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP) English language arts and mathematics tests that were administered in the 2015-16 school year.
Statewide, the largest achievement gaps exist between African-American and white students (28.6 percentage point gap), economically disadvantaged students and their more advantaged peers (26.5 percentage point gap), and students with and without disabilities (24.5 percentage point gap). Achievement gaps occur when one group of students outperforms another group and the difference in average scores for the two groups is statistically significant. Achievement gaps persist in Mississippi and the nation as a whole.
“In order to ensure that all students are proficient and showing growth and that every student is graduating from high school ready for college and career, we must begin addressing achievement gaps in Mississippi,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “Closing achievement gaps requires significant effort and cooperation among teachers, district leaders, parents and students.”
The report presents achievement gaps among the key subgroups that the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) identifies: racial and/or ethnic minorities, economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities and English learners. ESSA requires states to report academic achievement by subgroup so that the educational needs of every student can be addressed.
To assist in the statewide effort to close achievement gaps, the MDE is continuing to create professional development opportunities for teachers and district leaders related to increasing student achievement among all subgroups.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519