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Over ninety percent of third-grade Arrows pass state reading test
Special to The Clinton Courier 
The Clinton Public School District is one of four school districts in the state to have a passing rate above ninety percent on the initial administration of the 2021-2022 Mississippi Academic Assessment Program Third Grade Reading Summative Assessment. 
Mandy Ambrose, principal at Clinton’s Northside Elementary, the district’s second- and third-grade school, said she is exceptionally proud of the resilience shown by the teachers and students in accomplishing this goal. 
“Instead of allowing the changes and challenges that have taken place over the past two years to overcome them, they have pushed through and came out stronger than they could have imagined,” Ambrose said. 
She said teachers started preparing for these students long before the August 2021 start date. 
“The teachers knew that these particular students missed out on pieces of their most critical years of instruction due to the pandemic. They knew there would most likely be deficits when the year started.” 
“I am incredibly proud of our students and teachers for their diligence and focused work this year,” said CPSD Superintendent Dr. Andy Schoggin. 
“A tremendous amount of credit is due to our dedicated teachers, who have worked closely and intentionally with each student over the course of this school year, and to our parents, who have supported them so well,” added Schoggin. 
Ambrose also praised the teachers’ intentional preparation and their ability to make adjustments in order to meet the specific needs of this year’s third-grade class. 
“They did all that they could to stand in the gap for their kids,” Ambrose said, “and these scores allow them to see the fruits of their labor.” 
Along with Choctaw County School District, Ocean Springs School District and Webster County School District, Clinton scored above ninety percent, well above the state average of 73.9 percent.