Corinth Receives Approval for Locally Selected, Nationally Recognized High School Assessment

The Corinth School District received approval from the U.S. Department of Education to use the Cambridge Assessment International Program as a locally selected nationally recognized high school assessment (LSNRHSA). This approval makes the state of Mississippi the fourth state in the nation to provide the option to use a LSNRHSA in place of a state testing series. 

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) submitted the proposal on behalf of the school district in September 2022. The Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) English, Mathematics and Biology assessments underwent a peer review under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 in order to become a LSNRHSA.  

External peer reviewers and the U.S. Department of Education staff carefully evaluated MDE’s submission and determined that IGCSE substantially meets the statutory and regulatory requirements of the ESEA. It is rare for assessments to receive this high of a determination during peer review, especially on the first submission. 

“Receiving this approval is very affirming and encouraging after a four-year process,” said Dr. Lee Childress, Superintendent of Corinth School District. “This approval allows us to continue providing our students with a world-class 21st-century educational experience. We are grateful for the steadfast support of the Corinth community during this time and appreciate the support and assistance of Cambridge International Assessment Program and the Mississippi Department of Education during this process.”

Beginning with spring 2023 testing series, IGCSE will be used as the LSNRHSA for English/Language Arts, Biology, Math, and U.S. History. This change means Corinth 8th-12th grade students only have to take one set of subject area assessments (Cambridge) rather than undergoing a double testing system (Cambridge and Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP)). 

In Fall 2023, all three schools will receive an accountability rating from the MDE. Our elementary and middle school students will continue to use the MAAP as the statewide assessment for learning. Cambridge scores will be used instead of MAAP scores for 8th-12th grade students taking English/Language Arts, Biology, Math, and U.S. History.

This process started in 2018 with Cambridge convening panels of teachers to conduct an alignment study of the Cambridge assessments with the Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards. Other steps included the compilation and review of data and evidence to meet the seven critical elements required in peer review. The submission of this evidence to the U.S. Department of Education was the final step in this initial approval process. The notes from the peer review process were encouraging. “Overall, it appears that Cambridge IGCSE assessments are more rigorous than the statewide assessments,” said peer reviewers. “Throughout this review, the overall quality of the Cambridge IGCSE assessments was impressive.” 

“This has been a true partnership for Cambridge with the innovative leadership of Corinth School District and the Mississippi Department of Education,” said Mark Cavone, Regional Director, Cambridge International North America. “Great teaching and learning is the heart of Cambridge courses and exams, and we are thrilled more students will now have access to them.”

Additional steps are still needed to complete this process including a standards validation study with 60 Mississippi educators to take place in August 2023. 

The district will host several informational sessions: 
Coffee and Conversation
Weds., Jan. 4 at 8 a.m., 1204 North Harper Road, RSVP 

Lunch with Lee 
Fri., Jan. 6 at 1 p.m., 1204 North Harper Road, RSVP 

Parent Informational Sessions (CHS Auditorium)
Mon., Jan. 9 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 10 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 10 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. 

Teachers will receive additional information and have an opportunity to ask questions on the Professional Development Day on January 2. 

For additional information including Spring 2023 Testing Dates, go to www.corinth.k12.ms.us/academics/lsnrhsa