Student achievement reading scores have hit an all-time high throughout the state in mathematics, English Language Arts (ELA), science, and U.S. History, according to the most recent results from the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP).
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released that the overall percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced has reached historic highs, with the results reporting totals of 52.6 percent in mathematics, 46.7 percent in ELA, 59.4 percent in science, and 71.4 percent in U.S. History.
The 2022-23 assessment shows that student achievement has resumed the pre-pandemic momentum from 2016 to 2019, during which the percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced increased from 1.8 percent to 5.6 percent annually in ELA and mathematics.
Student achievement in Mississippi and nationally dropped in 2021 due to the pandemic, though Mississippi students mostly rebounded by 2022.
“This historic news is the direct result of our conservative education reforms and keeping our kids in school during the pandemic,” Governor Tate Reeves said. “The Mississippi Miracle is real, and these new results are further proof of the continued success of our students. Thank you to all of the Mississippi teachers, parents, and students who helped make this record achievement possible.”
MAAP measures student performance in ELA and mathematics in grades 3-8, science in grades 5 and 8, and in high school English II, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History.
The assessment results make up a large portion of the A-F accountability grades schools and districts earn annually.
“Mississippi students have continued to prove they can achieve at higher and higher levels,” Dr. Ray Morgigno, interim state superintendent of education, said. “I am proud of what our students have accomplished and credit teachers and school leaders statewide for maintaining high standards and dedicating themselves to helping students reach, and exceed, their goals.”
Accountability grades for the 2022-23 school year will be released at the Mississippi State Board of Education meeting on Sept. 28.
Here’s the total list of scores from each category over the past five years:
| Subject | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Change since 2022 |
| Mathematics Proficient or Advanced |
47.4%
|
35.1%
|
47.3%
|
52.6%
|
+5.3%
|
|
| English Language Arts (ELA) Proficient or Advanced |
41.6%
|
No testing due to COVID-19 | 34.9%
|
42.2%
|
46.7%
|
+4.5%
|
| Science Proficient or Advanced |
55.3%
|
50.0%
|
55.9%
|
59.4%
|
+3.5%
|
|
| U.S. History Proficient or Advanced | 55.5%
|
47.0%*
|
69.3%
|
71.4%
|
+2.1%
|
