MDE invalidates nearly 1,000 state assessment results

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has invalidated 934 spring 2023 state assessment results after an investigation of testing irregularities in five districts and 12 schools.

Tests results were invalidated in a portion of tests in the following schools, grades and subjects:

Canton Public School District

Nichols Middle School – Grades 6, 7 English Language Arts (ELA) and Math

Greenville Public School District

Boyd Elementary School – Grade 5 ELA and Math

Hollandale School District

Simmons Junior High School – Grade 8 ELA
Simmons High School – English II

Jackson Public Schools

Dawson Elementary School – Grade 3 ELA and Math
Lester Elementary School – Grades 3, 4, 5 ELA and Math; grade 5 Science
Marshall Elementary School – Grade 3 ELA
McLeod Elementary School – Grades 3, 4, 5 ELA and Math
Peeples Middle School – Grades 6, 7, 8 ELA and Math; grade 8 Science
Wilkins Elementary School – Grade 4 Math
Lanier High School – English II

Wilkinson County School District

Wilkinson County High School – English II, Algebra I, U.S. History

According to MDE, the portion of tests invalidated in each grade and subject range from 8% to 94% of tests taken in each subject at each individual school.

Most tests were invalidated because of an extremely high level of similar responses and/or instances of wrong-to-right answer changes.

The MDE notified the affected superintendents about testing irregularities in their districts on August 15, 2023, and provided them with 15 working days to conduct an investigation and submit a report of their findings to the MDE.

Following the investigations in the Canton and Jackson school districts, district leaders determined 57 educators, administrators and staff violated test security rules. School personnel who violate test security rules face further disciplinary action against their educator license, which may include suspension or revocation, and possible criminal charges.

The district-led investigations in the Greenville, Hollandale and Wilkinson school districts did not identify any school personnel who violated test security rules. Based on the forensic evidence of testing irregularities, officials said the MDE is now conducting test security and educator misconduct investigations in each of these districts. State law also requires school districts to reimburse the MDE for the cost of state-led testing investigations.

The MDE is sending letters to the parents and guardians of students whose spring 2023 assessment scores were invalidated to inform them that their children’s score reports are not valid.

Schools that promoted 3rd grade students with invalidated English Language Arts scores will be required to provide those students with additional support and intervention, if necessary, to ensure the students are reading proficiently.

Students with invalidated high school test results are required to retake the exams in the 2023-24 school year because the assessments are required for graduation.

Schools with invalidated test scores in 10% or more of their assessments included in the Mississippi Statewide Accountability System will not receive a letter grade for the 2022-23 school year and will have their accreditation status downgraded or withdrawn. School and district grades will be released on September 28.

Grades for the following schools will be noted as test data invalidated: