In accordance with 34 C.F.R. 200.12 and MS Code 37-17-6, the 2015 Mississippi Statewide Accountability System assigns a performance rating of A, B, C, D, and F for each school and district based on established criteria regarding student achievement, individual student growth, graduation rate, and participation rate. Statewide assessments are used to measure proficiency and growth in proficiency for students in grades 3-8 and high school students taking end-ofcourse subject area assessments in Algebra I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History. Schools and districts are expected to have a participation rate of 95% or greater, and high schools and districts receive scores based on their four-year, cohort graduation rate.