Union Public School District was honored last week with an award of excellence for its performance on the 2019 Mississippi Assessment Program testing. In a ceremony Tuesday in the high school gymnasium, State School Superintendent Carey Wright congratulated students and teachers on their achievement and encouraged them to continue to be an A-rated school.
“This is the second time Union Public School District has earned an A,” Wright said. “Let me put this in perspective for you. We have about 145 districts in our state. You are one of 22 that has an earned an A for two years.”
Union’s performance on state testing is something to be proud of, Wright said, but it is more than just a “bragging right.” The award of excellence, and earning an A-rating for two years, is a message to businesses and the community students at UPSD are receiving a quality education.
“What this says to your community, the business people in the community and those that reside in the community is that the children in this community are getting the very best education possible in the state of Mississippi,” she said.
For businesses, UPSD’s performance shows economic stability, and businesses want to come to a town that’s economically stable, Wright said. For families, it shows them Union is a good place to live.
Wright, who is visiting all the districts that made an A-rating on the 2019 MAP assessments, said there is a common thread throughout the districts she visits. The top performing schools, she said, have good community support.
Union Public School District has dedicated teachers, administrators and support staff, who work hard to educate their students, but it also has great community support, Wright said.
“Schools can’t do this alone. Parents and communities can’t do this alone,” she said. “But together, you have created an amazing environment for children.”
Superintendent Tyler Hansford, echoing Wright, said Union excels because the teachers, students and parents make it a priority every day to learn.
“How you perform on a test is a reflection of what you do every day, and where your mind is, where your heart is and what you care about. You need to care about your future, and I’m so glad you all do,” he said. “So, teachers, parents, students, administrators, you’re constantly working on this nonstop, and that’s why we’re here today.”
Hansford said the expectation in Union schools is to be an A-rated district every year, and while there may be years they fall short, the students, teachers and staff would work each day with the goal of being the best.
