Last school year, 92 percent of third-graders at Oak Grove Elementary School, on their first attempt, passed the Third Grade Reading Gate test, which is designed to make sure students are at the third-grade reading level before they are sent to the next grade.
On the next two tries, 100 percent of the students passed the exam, which led to the Mississippi Department of Education recently designating the school as a Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading Schools for the 2022-2023 school year. To celebrate that accomplishment, officials from MDE on August 8 visited the elementary school, which was one of only 11 elementary schools across Mississippi to receive that designation.
“Ninety-two percent was the highest in our school district, and 92 percent was one of the highest in the state – well above the state average,” said Steven Hampton, superintendent of the Lamar County School District. “It’s fantastic, and it’s great to be recognized when your teachers go above and beyond, and they do extra training so they can grow as professionals to better serve their students.
“All of our elementary schools are at, or near, where they need to be to receive that recognition. MDE only recognizes a certain amount of schools around the state, so it’s kind of neat because this is the third recognition that we’ve had. Purvis Lower (Elementary School) received it two years ago, and they were the first ones in our district to receive that recognition, and then Oak Grove Primary (School) received it last year.”
The Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading Schools recognition is awarded to schools that have trained teachers in the science of reading, exemplified a change of instructional practices, and embodied a school culture that focuses on building skillful, strong readers in kindergarten through third grade.
All Mississippi K-5 schools are invited annually in the spring to apply for the science of reading recognition. Schools must reapply to retain the designation.
Other schools in the state to receive the award this year include:
- Pass Road Elementary School, Gulfport School District;
- Beach Elementary School, Pascagoula-Gautier School District;
- Jackson Elementary School, Pascagoula-Gautier School District;
- Martin Bluff Elementary School, Pascagoula-Gautier School District;
- Waveland Elementary School, Bay St. Louis-Waveland School District;
- Jefferson County Elementary School, Jefferson County School District
- Beechwood Elementary School, Vicksburg Warren School District;
- Bovina Elementary School, Vicksburg Warren School District;
- Lewisburg Primary School, DeSoto County School District; and
- Senatobia Elementary School, Senatobia Municipal School District.
“We applaud these schools for seeking and receiving this designation, which demonstrates their commitment to implanting the science of reading and ensuring their students receive optimal literacy instruction,” said Ray Morgigno, interim state superintendent of education. “Such designations support Mississippi remaining a national leader in literacy and continued growth for students.”
During the celebration at Oak Grove Elementary School, MDE officials presented the school with a banner and several books in recognition of the students’ accomplishments.
“We brought all of our students from Oak Grove Elementary into the multi-purpose building that we have, and it was an opportunity to celebrate our teachers for the hard work that they’ve put in.”
