Assessment and Accountability

 Accountability and Assessment Team (from left to right):
Front Row: Dr. Greg Paczak, Director, Dr. Mary Moak, Coordinator,  Dr. Rebecca Hurst, Coordinator, and Dr. Jennifer Fillingim Coordinator

 

The Office of Accountability and Assessment is responsible for overseeing Madison County Schools' efforts in the following areas (listed alphabetically):

 

1. Abstinence Education: We coordinate and implement abstinence education.  Per HB1390, 5th and 7th grade students are provided the opportunity to participate (with parent permission) in age-appropriate Abstinence Education. As selected by a committee from across the district and approved by the Madison County School Board, the WAIT curriculum is the primary source used for abstinence education.  Topics covered in 5th grade include: building positive friendships, decision making, responding to peer pressure, whole body health, male and female anatomy, and puberty.  Seventh grade students additionally cover developing effective communication and the influences of media and technology (internet safety).  Schools will communicate with parents of 5th and 7th graders about when Abstinence-only instruction will occur.

 

2. Accountability: We stay up to date on local, state, and national trends, research, and policy as it pertains to accountability.  We work with the Mississippi Department of Education to ensure the accountability results posted to the public are accurate.

 

3. Achievement: We provide student achievement data to guide instructional decisions as well as training on best practices for helping students reach their maximum potential. 

 

4. Approval for Research:  We will review any requests for research and determine whether the candidate's request to conduct research will be sent to the principals and/or directors of the school/department where such research would be conducted.  Approval from the MCS Research Committee indicates the candidate's research request aligns with the parameters of acceptable and reasonable research but does not guarantee the school(s)/department(s) will actually participate in the research.  Participation in the research will be solely at the discretion of the principal(s)/director(s).  Individuals seeking to conduct research within MCS should submit a "request for research" to Dr. Greg Paczak at gpaczak@madison-schools.com.  

 

5. Assessment: We oversee the administration of most national, state, and district assessments. Below is an outline of the assessments we oversee, when they are given, and the purpose of each assessment.

 

6. College, Career, and Military Readiness: We facilitate a systemic approach to curriculum and instruction support of teachers and building-level administrators for the ACT, AP, ASVAB, PSAT, and WorkKeys.