Jackson Free Press

This morning, the Mississippi Department of Education released the details of its new public school ratings system, after more than two years. The MDE needed the new accountability model "to align with the State Board of Education's goals and a new, more rigorous curriculum implemented two years ago by the State Board," according to a release.

Under the new accountability model, schools and districts will receive labels from highest to lowest: Star, High Performing, Successful, Academic Watch, Low Performing, At-Risk of Failing and Failing.

"We are no longer comparing Mississippi students to Mississippi students as the old accountability model measured," Interim State Superintendent of Education Dr. John W. Jordan said in the release. "If our children are competing against other children in the country, then the playing field to compete needs to be level. Now, with a more rigorous curriculum and assessment to match, our kids will be able to compete in this global economy."

To view the complete 2009 Accountability results for schools and districts visit http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ors/.