Mississippi § 37-151-9 - Office of Educational Accountability established; director; duties and responsibilities.

§ 37-151-9. Office of Educational Accountability established; director; duties and responsibilities.

The State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Education shall establish within the State Department of Education a special unit at the division level called the Office of Educational Accountability. The Director of the Office of Educational Accountability shall hold a position comparable to a deputy superintendent and shall be appointed by the State Board of Education with the advice and consent of the Senate. He shall serve at the will and pleasure of the State Board of Education and may employ necessary professional, administrative and clerical staff. The Director of the Office of Educational Accountability shall provide all reports to the Legislature, Governor, Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation and State Board of Education and respond to any inquiries for information. The Office of Educational Accountability is responsible for monitoring and reviewing programs developed under the Education Reform Act, the Mississippi Adequate Education Program Act of 1994, the Education Enhancement Fund, and subsequent education initiatives, and shall provide information, recommendations and an annual assessment to the Legislature, Governor, Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation and the State Board of Education. Commencing in 1995, the annual assessment of education reform programs shall be performed by the Office of Educational Accountability by December 1 of each year. The Office of Educational Accountability shall specifically monitor the implementation of Level III accreditation in all school districts, and shall make an assessment with recommendations to the 1996 Regular Session of the Legislature. In addition, the Office of Educational Accountability shall have the following specific duties and responsibilities: Developing and maintaining a system of communication with school district personnel; Provide opportunities for public comment on the current functions of the State Department of Education’s programs, needed public education services and innovative suggestions; Assess both positive and negative impact on school districts of new education programs, including but not limited to The Mississippi Report Card and alternative school programs.