Selecting a State Superintendent of Education for mississippi Recommendations from Mississippi First By Rachel Canter
Introduction On April 21, 2022, State Superintendent Carey Wright announced her retirement effective June 30, 2022, after an eight-anda-half-year tenure. The responsibility to select Dr. Wright’s successor lies with the State Board of Education, the governing body for the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE or the Department). The State Board consists of nine members—five appointed by the governor, including one current teacher and one current administrator, two appointed by the lieutenant governor, and two appointed by the Speaker of the House. The board plans to select a search firm to begin the hiring process this summer with interviews coming in the fall. As we stated in a memo we wrote 13 years ago when Dr. Hank Bounds left the Department, the selection of a new state superintendent will not only be the most important decision the State Board makes this year; it will also be the most important decision they will make in the next several years. The choice of a new state chief comes at an important crossroads for the state. Mississippi public schools in 2022 are at a vastly different stage than they were in 2013. Immediately prior to the pandemic, Mississippi fourth graders met the national average in reading and math, the highest-to-date scores following a long, slow climb over a 20-year period. In the last decade, when our gains accelerated, Mississippi adopted several important reforms, including new, rigorous state learning standards and assessments, a new accountability system, and a host of watershed education laws and policies. Dr. Wright played a heavy role in implementing these policies and enabled Mississippi to stay the course after adoption despite strong political headwinds, particularly on standards.
During her time at the helm of MDE, Dr. Wright also managed the Department through the transition to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and led through the exigencies of the COVID-19 pandemic. As she prepares to take her final bow in June, Dr. Wright can take pride in many accomplishments. Mississippi will need to choose its next education chief wisely if it hopes to continue the upward trajectory we have enjoyed over the last decade. In this brief, we articulate the four characteristics we believe are required for the next state superintendent. We also advise the State Board to engage as many stakeholders as possible as the hiring process unfolds to ensure the final candidate is set up for success.
We need an improvement in our education system. The selection of a new state superintendent will not only be the most important decision the State Board makes this year; it will also be the most important decision they will make in the next several years.