MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Frazier, Ross

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MURRAH HIGH SCHOOL FOR BEING LISTED AMONG THE TOP-RANKED PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE NATION BASED UPON TEST SCORES.

WHEREAS, Murrah High School is among the top ranked public secondary schools in the nation for its high rate of graduates and number of students who take advanced level college courses, according to the current issue of Newsweek magazine, which lists the Jackson school at No. 226 among 472 public high schools across the nation - Murrah was the only Mississippi high school to make the list; and

WHEREAS, public schools are ranked by a ratio of the number of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests taken by all students at a school in 1999 divided by the number of graduating seniors; and

WHEREAS, last year, 351 Advanced Placement test were administered at Murrah and the school had 250 graduating seniors; students who pass the college-level tests receive both high school credit and college credit if the college they attend accepts AP credit; and

WHEREAS, this acknowledgment is proof that students are meeting the high standards that have been set at the school, where students are also excelling academically because administrators, teachers, parents and students work as a team to ensure students receive a quality education; and

WHEREAS, Murrah is also the only public high school in Jackson that has an Academic and Performing Arts Complex program; and

WHEREAS, there are nine Advanced Placement courses offered at Murrah and 32 different AP classes are offered at high schools throughout the state; in 1999, a total of 2,972 Mississippi high school students were enrolled in AP classes; and

WHEREAS, the nationwide distinction should assure students at Murrah they are being equipped with the necessary skills to succeed anywhere; this illustrates the quality that exists in public schools and it brings positive attention to public schools that sometimes the public misses; and

WHEREAS, school districts realize what research is saying to us, which is, it's not the rank in class or the grade point average that predicts college success, it is how rigorous or challenging a student's high school courses are that indicates success; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge this national recognition for Murrah High School which shows that Mississippi schools are offering a premium education:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Murrah High School in Jackson, Mississippi, for being listed by Newsweek magazine among the top-ranked public secondary schools in the nation based upon test scores, and urge other public schools across the state to replicate this honor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Principal Karen Wilson of Murrah High School and Superintendent Jayne Sargeant, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.