21 Dec 2022
Cambridge International has had a resounding approval from the US Department of Education (ED) for use of Cambridge IGCSE to meet end-of-course assessment requirements in the state of Mississippi. Cambridge IGCSE received the highest rating available from the ED earlier this month, following careful evaluation.
The proposal to use Cambridge IGCSE in place of state tests was initiated by the Corinth School District, building on their twelve-year partnership with Cambridge International. Corinth School District and Cambridge International are the first to access the flexibility of the locally-selected nationally-recognised high school assessment provision of the Every Student Succeeds Act (an education law for US public schools) with a curriculum-based assessment. This provision allows school districts to use a nationally recognised assessment in place of the state assessment.
The Cambridge IGCSE programme is currently administered to all students in grades 8-12 in the Corinth School District. Any school district in Mississippi will now have the flexibility to administer Cambridge IGCSE in place of the state-wide assessment beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.
"Receiving this approval from the US Department of Education is very affirming and encouraging after a four-year process," said Dr. Lee Childress, Superintendent of Corinth School District. "This approval allows us to continue providing our students with a world-class 21st-century educational experience. We are grateful for the steadfast support of the Corinth community during this time and appreciate the support and assistance of Cambridge International and the Mississippi Department of Education during this process."
"This has been a true partnership for Cambridge with the innovative leadership of Corinth School District and the Mississippi Department of Education," said Mark Cavone, Regional Director, Cambridge International North America. "Great teaching and learning is the heart of Cambridge courses and exams, and we are thrilled more students will now have access to them."
Cambridge IGCSE is the world's most popular international programme for 14- to 16-year-olds, offering over 70 course subjects for schools to choose from. Cambridge IGCSE prepares high school students for more rigorous advanced coursework. Schools can use the Cambridge curricula alongside any other curricula.
Each year, nearly 1 million students in more than 160 countries study Cambridge programmes, making more than 2 million exam entries. First introduced in the US in 1995, the Cambridge International programme has grown rapidly in popularity there.
Further, over 1000 universities in the US, including many state systems and Ivy League institutions, recognise the Cambridge Advanced programme (which includes Cambridge International AS & A Levels). Studies show that Cambridge students at US universities perform stronger and graduate faster than students in other programmes.
Read the full press release