The Mississippi State Board of Education has approved plans for the Oxford School District to become Mississippi’s newest District of Innovation. This will make Oxford the eighth District of Innovation in the state joining Corinth, Gulfport, Vicksburg-Warren, Grenada, Baldwyn, Booneville, and Hinds County.
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The Oxford School District’s innovation plan includes a modified district calendar, a middle college program, a career academy, a personalized education pathway counseling program, and a comprehensive professional development program for teachers.
“Mississippi’s Districts of Innovation are restructuring and enhancing learning opportunities for students to better prepare them for success in college, the workforce, and life,” said Wendy Clemons, executive director of secondary education at the Mississippi Department of Education.
Legislation passed in 2015 that allows districts to apply for District of Innovation status, which enables the district to request exemptions from certain state regulations to improve student achievement. Through the innovative model, districts have flexibility in areas such as seat time and teacher certification to allow for innovative scheduling and instruction.
