Following the release today of the latest Mississippi Curriculum Test, Second Edition (MCT2) local school officials say the new assessment shows that more work is needed.

Schools that were at the top of the rankings in the state’s old accountability system that rated on a Level 1-5 scale may find themselves under “Academic Watch” under state’s new system that assigns a performance label of “Star School,” “High Performing ,” “Successful,” “Academic Watch,” “At-Risk of Failing,” “Low Performing” or “Failing.”

Laurel School Superintendent Dr. Glenn McGee said the new system shows that “there is a lot of work to be done at all our schools.”

According to the new state assessment, the city schools did not meet growth. The Laurel School District’s overall descriptor from the state is “At Risk of Failing.”

Nora Davis Magnet School’s descriptor is “Academic Watch,” with Stainton Elementary, Oak Park Elementary, Laurel High and Laurel Middle schools earning the descriptor of “At Risk of Failing.”

However, Mason Elementary School, which earned the lowest QDI of all the city schools at 99, has a descriptor of “Failing.”

Lacey Walters, public information officer for the Laurel School District, said that after two years of low performing, Mason Elementary School has been identified as a failing school, according to the new accountability model. Based on this identification, beginning the first of December, Mason will go through a thorough evaluation conducted by the Mississippi Department of Education.

“The Mississippi Department of Education will observe the instructional practices of teachers and will evaluate every facet of the district, including the school board and central office administration,” McGee said. “Following the evaluation process, MDE will make recommendations on how to improve the performance of the school.”

McGee said the evaluation by the state can be a positive measure.

“We are going through this process with optimism, and we will put forth our best effort to improve the quality of instruction and academic success at Mason,” McGee said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do all across the district, not just at Mason.

“We’ve been here before, and we’ve moved schools from low performing to exemplary, so we will get it done,” McGee exclaimed with confidence. “We are going to meet the challenge.”

Laurel school officials said this is the second year of a more rigorous MCT2 and all members of the district will be working to make improvements.

“Administrators and teachers in the Laurel School District are working to develop stronger curriculum, provide increased professional development, add tutoring programs for students with academic weaknesses and develop intervention plans for students,” Walters said. “In addition to a variety of evaluations, central office administrators, along with principals, have and will progress monitor all schools at the close of each nine-week period.”

Superintendent McGee said the teachers and administrators at each school have reviewed the MCT2 testing data and are developing plans that will aid in moving a greater percentage of children to proficiency.

“The MCT 2 results have assisted us in identifying where the individual students are and what particular areas and disciplines need additional focus,” McGee said. “Intervention plans will be used across the district to target those students who have not met proficiency goals.”

Officials acknowledged that the Laurel School District has several areas of concern: language arts in the elementary, middle and the high school levels, and sixth grade, seventh grade and eighth grade mathematics.

Walters said MCT2 district totals show that 33 percent of third graders, 28 percent of fourth graders, 25 percent of fifth graders, 41 percent of sixth graders, 43 percent of seventh graders and 21 percent of eighth graders scored proficient or advanced in language arts. District totals also show that 36 percent of third graders, 37 percent of fourth graders, 35 percent of fifth graders, 42 percent of sixth graders, 53 percent of seventh graders and 26 percent of eighth graders scored proficient or advance in mathematics.

“As a district we have too many children scoring in the minimal and basic categories,” McGee said. “There is a lot of work to be done at all our schools. ... We are not satisfied.”

However, McGee said the district has set goals that need to be met.

“The Laurel School District has set high goals for student achievement for the 2009-10 school year, and administrators and teachers are diligently working to accomplish greater levels of success,” he said. “Professional development for teachers is a high priority area for the 2009-10 school year. In addition to added after-hours professional development, sessions have been scheduled for Saturdays as well.”

Walters said Stainton and Oak Park elementary schools and Laurel Middle School are continuing their well established after-school programs, while Laurel High, Mason Elementary and Nora Davis Magnet added an after-school tutoring program this year.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Dr. Maggie Griffin said, “Professional development is ongoing at each school where principals have selected professional development specifically geared for the needs of their staff.”

McGee said that several professional instructors are scheduled to work with teachers during scheduled professional development times, and that plans are in place to encourage increased parental involvement, which is a key factor in student success.