State board hears third‑grade reading results, approves contracts and moves to closed session

The Mississippi State Board of Education on May 16 received a presentation from department staff on third‑grade reading assessment results, approved five contracts for department services and voted to enter an executive session to discuss personnel and litigation strategy.

State Department of Education presenters told the board that 75.7 percent of students passed the initial administration of the third‑grade reading assessment this year, a slight decrease from 76.3 percent the previous year but above the pre‑pandemic 2018–19 rate of 74.5 percent. "Seventy‑five point seven percent of the students passed the initial administration of the third grade reading assessment this year," a department presenter said.

Department staff reported 45 percent of districts had 80 percent or more of students meeting promotion requirements; nine districts had 90 percent or more; and 11 districts had 50 percent or more of students not meeting promotion requirements. The presenters said there was "a great deal of overlap" in low‑performing districts year to year and offered to provide side‑by‑side, year‑over‑year district comparisons on request.

The department said it has reached out to lower‑performing districts, issued guidance through a superintendent listserv and will revise its approved intervention list, with the update taking effect next year. "We will be providing literacy support grants to eligible districts starting in the summer," presenters stated, and staff said the agency will continue statewide training on the science of reading.

Officials also noted a review of test‑security issues after some third‑grade assessments were invalidated in the prior year. Department staff said increased on‑site monitoring and strengthened test‑security procedures might have affected scores but said they could not yet confirm causes for the small decline.

On instructional practice, the department recommended reducing students' time on computer‑based reading programs, advising about 45 minutes per week on such programs and increasing face‑to‑face, evidence‑based reading interventions focused on foundational skills.

Separately, the board approved five contracts presented by department staff, including outside counsel for special education, agreements with Mississippi Regional Education Service Agencies to assist with EANS funds for nonpublic schools, final‑year assessment contracts with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and a contract to assist with the student funding formula. A motion to approve action items 2a–2e passed on a voice vote; no opposition was recorded and Ms. Barrett's aye was noted.

The board then voted to move into executive session to discuss personnel matters and strategy relating to prospective or ongoing litigation, citing Mississippi Code Annotated section 25‑41‑7(4)(a), (k) and 25‑41‑7(4)(b) as the statutory basis.

Votes at a glance
• Approval of minutes from April 18, 2024 — Motion by Zack Jacobs; second by Ronnie McGeehee; approved by voice vote.
• Approval of the May 16, 2024 agenda — Approved by voice vote.
• Approval of consent agenda — Approved by voice vote.
• Approval of contracts (action items 2a–2e) — Motion made, seconded; approved by voice vote; no opposition recorded.
• Motion to consider a closed determination/enter executive session — Motion made, seconded; approved; statutory basis announced.

The department said it will provide more detailed, district‑level trend data and that literacy support grants will be available to eligible districts starting this summer. The board adjourned after the executive‑session vote and related housekeeping motions.