Mississippi School District Ratings Drop Due to Changes in Federal Accountability Model

The Lauderdale County School District (LCSD) in Mississippi has seen its rating drop to a 'B', ending a seven-year streak as an 'A' district. This change, along with Columbus falling to a 'D', is attributed to new accountability model changes mandated by the U.S. Department of Education. The revised model raised performance level cut-offs and altered components, including the elimination of the U.S. History assessment and the introduction of the Mississippi Readiness Index.