Mississippi Becomes Latest State to Reduce Cut Score for Math Certification

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 06/05/18

The state of Mississippi is hoping to fill openings for math teachers by lowering the cut score for its certification exam. The Mississippi Board of Education recently approved a decision to reduce the passing score for the Praxis II Subject Assessment, "Mathematics: Content Knowledge" from 160 to 152 for teachers teaching in grades 7-12. The decision followed recommendations from the state's Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, the Institutions of Higher Learning, the Mississippi Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, among others.

According to a state analysis, school districts have been struggling with a shortage of licensed math teachers to fill existing openings. The adjustment in passing score was recommended as part of a multi-pronged effort that also includes outreach to high schools to promote math teaching as a STEM career, outreach to education students who have indicated an interest in math education and identifying and redirecting student teachers who may be concentrated in subject areas where there's a surplus.

Mississippi isn't the only state to reconsider the use of a lower cut score. It joins the ranks of six other states that have dropped the ceiling as well: Alabama (145), Colorado (152), Iowa (134), Kansas (152), Nebraska (146) and South Carolina (150). The current national mean score is about 153; Mississippi's mean score for test takers is about 142. By the state's estimate, the decrease could raise the number of math teachers in the state by 10 percent.

Among those who spoke in support of the change was Roy Gill, superintendent of the Harrison County School District, which is currently seeking to fill three math teacher positions in its middle and high schools. "The problem has become critical," Gill wrote. "I currently have a teacher who has been the district teacher of the year at the middle school level, score 153 of the 160 points needed. She is an outstanding teacher in every way and her Algebra I data bears this out."

Added the district Mathematics Specialist, Stephanie Brewer, "Candidates must have command of every area of mathematics, which is not true in other content areas. A great algebra teacher does not have to know trigonometry to foster rigorous mathematical thinking for algebra."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A recent report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.

  • tutor and student working together at a laptop

    You've Paid for Tutoring. Here's How to Make Sure It Works.

    As districts and states nationwide invest in tutoring, it remains one of the best tools in our educational toolkit, yielding positive impacts on student learning at scale. But to maximize return on investment, both financially and academically, we must focus on improving implementation.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.