Although Tunica Elementary School has been struggling academically for the past few years, Principal Jeffery Blackmon remains positive as the school posts modest yet steady gains. Their 2008/2009 state test results with a QDI score of 203 points earned the school the ominous “at risk of failing” label. But with a 20 point increase in their QDI and the ability to meet AYP (adequate yearly progress) for 2009/2010, their status was elevated from “at risk” to “academic watch.”
When asked why TES seems to lag behind other elementary schools in the Tunica County School District, Blackmon claims they were handicapped by the previous administration’s failure to promptly adopt the new frameworks proposed by the Mississippi State Department of Education. In other words, they got a late start, Blackmon said. This delayed putting the new curriculum in place, as well as having teachers receive proper training regarding the new curriculum and testing format.

Read more