Mississippi’s newly named state superintendent of education discusses his plans

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – It’s a return residence for Mississippi’s subsequent state superintendent. We’re studying extra about what his plans are for the publish. Dr. Robert Taylor is a Laurel native, however he’s spent the final 30 years working in schooling in North Carolina.

“Anybody who is aware of me is aware of that considered one of my goals has all the time been to return to Mississippi because the state superintendent,” stated Taylor in a Zoom name with Mississippi reporters.

It was our first alternative to listen to from the newly named state superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor. He’s gearing as much as tackle the position in January.

“I believe the challenges that Mississippi has are the identical challenges that districts throughout the nation are coping with. Funding, trainer shortages, trainer ed packages, how can we be certain college students are correctly ready to exit into the workforce?” described Taylor.

The Mississippi Affiliation of Educators has been gathering enter from lecturers across the state on what they’d prefer to see within the new chief.

“They’ve expressed to us again and again that they needed somebody, particularly with classroom expertise that is aware of how laborious it’s to work within our faculties,” stated MAE President Erica Jones.

Taylor presents that having moved via the ranks as a classroom trainer to high school administrator and on the state degree as deputy state superintendent in North Carolina.

He was requested concerning the faculties transferring to modified calendars that quantity to extra of a year-round schedule. That’s one thing the Lt. Governor has voiced his assist for in current months.

“I believe that’s completely helpful,” described Taylor. “We all know that districts go to a year-round calendar, and it reduces the period of time between classes.”

Again to that trainer survey.

“One of many key issues that our educators wish to tackle with our new state superintendent is state exams,” defined Jones. “And plenty of educators have questions round whether or not we’re gonna proceed that cycle of testing.”

“Should you requested me, ‘Are we over-testing kids?’ Completely, we’re,” famous Taylor. “The clear query that everybody has is how can we correctly assess what it’s that faculties are doing… it’s about what we consider is probably the most applicable method to try this.”

Dr. Taylor will nonetheless must obtain affirmation from the state senate earlier than formally taking up this new publish.

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