North Panola administrators see new scores as ‘minor setback’

By John Howell
North Panola School District Superintendent Cedric Richardson sees the district’s D rating as a minor setback, according to a news release provided by the school.
North Panola School District earned a D rating in the latest round of accountability results based on the latest test, the Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP) administered during the 2015-2016 school year.
“North Panola was one of the few districts in the state to show tremendous growth under the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career test) assessment and to increase the district’s letter grade to the first ever ‘C’ Rating,” Superintendent Cedric Richardson said.
The PARCC test was administered in the 2014-2015 school year, but results were not released for school districts until summer, 2016.
“Under the new model (MAP), the district had to show even more growth in order to maintain or increase the rating, Richardson continued.
“We have set in motion new initiatives to improve the learning opportunities for our students in all of our schools. North Panola has teachers who are committed to our students, the administration and the school board is committed to supporting their efforts to increase student achievement,” the Superintendent stated.
“As a district we are using innovative and research-based teaching and learning strategies to ensure our students continue to receive a quality education. It has been difficult for teachers and administrators to adjust to three tests in three years, but we will fight everyday for the success of our students,” Richardson stated.
During the 2013-2014 school year, students took the Mississippi Curriculum Test (MCT2). The PARCC test was administered the following year and the MAP test last year.
According to the MPA scores, individual schools in the NP district are rated as follows: North Panola High School — C, Green Hill and Como Elementary — D ratings and Crenshaw and North Panola Junior High as failing schools.