According to state Average Yearly Progress scores released by the State Department of Education, although many students have improved their test scores, the results for the schools themselves are mixed.

Based on this year’s scores, released to the public Wednesday, McLaurin Elementary is a Level 2 school, the same as last year. Morgantown Elementary dropped from a Level 3 school to a Level 2 school, as did Natchez High School.

Robert Lewis Middle School moved from a Level 2 school to a Level 3 school but was still placed on school improvement because it didn’t meet its AYP goal for two years in a row.

Some of the results are encouraging and some are not, but overall they give our school officials a snapshot of where students and their schools stand.

That’s a starting point from which to formulate even more innovative ways to help students learn &045;&045; and therefore, to keep schools out of the state’s school improvement category.

Some measures are already being taken at the schools.

For example, at Lewis Middle School, those steps include hiring more teachers, giving those staff members more staff development and improving reading and math scores based on the America’s Choice Model.

We encourage school officials to seek the public’s input to find ways to further improve scores.

We also encourage parents to get involved in their children’s education, from helping them with homework and drilling for tests to making sure they’re fed and rested before the school day begins.

After all, as our public schools go, so go economic development and our community as a whole.