Following the lead of the Mississippi Department of Education, (MDE), the Simpson County School District has altered some graduation requirements for the Class of 2020 due to the closure of public schools to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Senior students will graduate this year providing they meet the standard of having completed 24 Carnegie Units.
The end of year state testing of Algebra I, English II, Biology and U. S. History has been suspended for the year due to the virus. MDE decided that group testing can not be completed this year.
This exception also extends to any student who would have been taking these subject area tests in grades 7-12.
Individual school districts will determine a process by which students currently enrolled in Carnegie Credit courses will satisfactorily meet state standards. Local school boards will have power to amend other graduation parameters that they may have previously had as a requirement for eductation.
The Third Grade Reading Assessment Test required by the state for promotion to fourth grade has been waived if the student has met all other district requirements.
This also means that licensure candidates will no longer be required to complete 12 full weeks of training for approval of licensure.
The state has applied to the federal government to waive the 180-day requirement for an accountable school year.
This approval from the state allows local boards the option of establishing guidelines for grading, retention and graduation.
As things stand currently, which is subject to change, classes could resume on April 20 based on Governor Tate Reeves’ order of school closure. The order was initially through April 17.
The newspaper is working with the school district to bring current information to readers as it becomes available.
