Series 511: Education Reform Act Implementation Files. 1983-1986.
Creator: Department of Education (RG 50).
Collection Summary: Files concerning programs mandated by the Educational Reform Act of 1982. Implementation dates of 1985 or 1986 were set for many of these programs; hence, most of these files date from that time period. They document the development of the various programs and also, to a lesser extent, document the reorganization of the State Department of Education called for in the Education Reform Act. The files are grouped together by broad category – accreditation, certification, staff development, etc. They include such items as reports, memoranda, proposals, and publications. Also included are the files of Dr. Jane Woodruff, Director of the Division of Program Implementation. Of particular interest in the director’s files are the quarterly progress reports for implementation of Education Reform Act programs, which provide an overview of the whole process.
Access Restrictions: None.
Date(s): 1983-1986.
Volume: 7.00 Cubic Feet.
Finding Aid Created By: Colby Cox in October 2025.
Related Materials: TBD.
Record Group History: The Mississippi Department of Education has its origins in the Mississippi Constitution of 1868 which created the position of Superintendent of Public Education who was tasked with oversight and management of Mississippi’s schools and school districts. The scope of the Department of Education expanded beyond just the superintendent in 1910 when the Division of Rural School Supervision by the state legislature. Over the course of the 20th century various new divisions were added to the department which increased its oversight abilities and integration in local school districts. The Education Reform Act of 1982 passed by the state legislature overhauled the Department of Education by creating new standards and accreditation requirements for schools and revamped the Board of Education into a nine-member board with members chosen by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House as well as creating the system of County, Consolidated, and Municipal school districts for local level management of schools.
- Collection Inventory
Box Content Box Number Accreditation 11487 Accreditation 11501 Basic skills assessment program 11508 Basic skills assessment program 11504 Board Minutes, 1984-1985 35742 Certification 3173 Curriculum planning 11501 Director's files 3173 Governors’ files 35742 Kindergarten and early childhood 11504 Leadership skills 3173 Personnel appraisal and compensation 3173 Personnel appraisal and compensation 30790 School Executive Management Institute 3173 Staff development 11508 Testing 11504 Testing 11508