The Mississippi Board of Education: Shaping the Future of Education in the State
The Mississippi Board of Education plays a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape of the state. It is responsible for setting public education policy, overseeing the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), and appointing the State Superintendent of Education. The MDE, operating under the direction and supervision of the State Superintendent of Education, implements a system-wide plan of performance, policy, and direction for public education in Mississippi. The MDE seeks to create a world-class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and in the workforce, and to flourish as parents and citizens. To make this vision a reality, all students must be given multiple pathways to success, and teachers and administrators must continue to meet the challenges of this ever-changing landscape of public education.
Composition and Appointment of the Board
The Board is made up of nine members. Each member is appointed according to the rules in the Mississippi Constitution. Mississippi Constitution rules require that the Mississippi Governor appoints one member from Mississippi’s Northern Supreme Court District, one member from Mississippi’s Central Supreme Court District, one member from Mississippi’s Southern Supreme Court District, one member who is employed as a school administrator, and one member who is employed as a public school teacher.
Key Responsibilities of the Board
The Mississippi Board of Education has several key responsibilities:
- Setting Public Education Policy: The Board establishes policies that guide the operation of public schools throughout Mississippi.
- Overseeing the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE): The Board monitors the MDE's activities and ensures that it is effectively implementing the Board's policies.
- Appointing the State Superintendent of Education: One of the Board's most important responsibilities is selecting the individual who will lead the state's public education system. The Mississippi Board of Education appoints the State Superintendent of Education.
- Monitoring School Funding: The Mississippi Board of Education is responsible for monitoring school funding.
- Curriculum and Course of Study: The Mississippi Board of Education, in conjunction with the State Superintendent of Education, adopts and maintains a curriculum and a course of study to be used in public schools that is designed to prepare Mississippi's students to become productive citizens, parents, employees and leaders.
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE)
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is the state education agency of Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) provides resources and technical support to Mississippi’s public school system. The MDE seeks to create a world-class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and in the workforce, and to flourish as parents and citizens.
The State Superintendent of Education
The State Superintendent of Education is the administrative head of the Mississippi Department of Education. The State Superintendent of Education is Dr. Lance Evans, a product of Mississippi public schools, began his education career more than two decades ago and has served Mississippi students as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, elementary and high school principal, and district superintendent.
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Recent Achievements and Initiatives
The Mississippi Department of Education has been actively involved in a number of initiatives and has celebrated several achievements recently:
- Graduation and Dropout Rates: MDE announced the state’s 2024-25 school-year graduation rate is 90.8%, and the dropout rate is 7%. Compared to 2023-24, the statewide dropout rate decreased by 1.5 percentage points, and the graduation rate increased by 1.6 percentage points.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Recognition: The State Board of Education (SBE) recognized two Mississippi educators who recently became national finalists at the 2025 Association for Career and Technical Education Conference in Nashville:
- Rex Buckhaults was named a 2025 National Association for CTE Lifetime Achievement Finalist. He devoted 46 years to public education in Perry County, Forrest County Agricultural High School, Wayne County, and Jones County, while having effective leadership in Mississippi CTE.
- Clint Young was named a 2025 National Association for Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Finalist. He is a 16-year agriculture educator at Pontotoc Ridge Career and Technology Center, where he teaches agriculture, animal science, veterinary science, precision agriculture, and plant science. He also leads an active Future Farmers of America chapter, preparing students for careers and leadership at the local, state, and national levels.
- Literacy Coach Academy: MDE's Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Division of Literacy, announced that applications are open for cohort four of the Literacy Coach Academy of Mississippi.
- Science of Reading: College of Education - Mississippi State was formally recognized by the Mississippi Department of Education as a Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading Educator Preparation Program. MDE's Office of Elementary Education and Reading, Division of Literacy, announced that applications are open for the Emerging Science of Reading School awards and Science of Reading School awards.
- History Teacher of the Year: The State Board of Education recognized the 2025 Mississippi History Teacher of the Year, Kreissa Reed, who is an American Democracy teacher and Archery head coach at Neshoba Central High School in the Neshoba County School District.
- United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP): Two Mississippi students - William Crosby Parker II, a senior at Gulfport High School, and Nial Chen, a senior at Ocean Springs High School, - have been selected for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) and will join Sen. Roger Wicker and Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in representing the state during the 64th annual USSYP Washington Week from March 7-14.
- Superintendent’s Annual Report: MDE has released its 2024-25 Superintendent’s Annual Report, which covers a year of historic progress of the state’s public education system as well as national recognition of achievements.
Resources and Support
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) provides resources and technical support to Mississippi’s public school system. Some of the resources and support provided include:
- Educator Licensure: Apply for, renew, reinstate or add an endorsement to your educator license.
- School District Information: Find contact information for every public school district in Mississippi.
- Professional Development: Register for Mississippi Department of Education professional development and access on-demand sessions.
- Mississippi Succeeds Report Card: The Mississippi Succeeds Report Card provides performance data and A-F grades for all schools and districts.
- Meeting Agendas and Board Policies: Access Meeting Agendas Board Policies Board Members
- Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards: The Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards outline the learning goals for students in pre-K through grade 12.
Historical Context
In August 2015 smoke from a fire in a nearby hotel, as well as water resulting from the incident, damaged the Central High building, so the MDE temporarily moved its headquarters to the South Pointe Business Park in Clinton. Later, the MDE Offices moved Back to Central High School Building.
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