Students in Grades 3 through 8 are taking state assessment tests this week, with results helping to determine each school's accreditation and the district's overall accreditation.

Students are taking reading tests today, writing tests on Wednesday, and math tests on Thursday. A make-up date for the tests will be Friday.

The tests -- known in Mississippi school circles as "MCT2" for Mississippi Curriculum Tests, Second Edition -- are more rigorous exams than in previous years, as mandated in the national No Child Left Behind initiative.

Results may be known as early as next month.

Many parents received notes or phone calls from the school about helping prepare students for the tests.

Parents have been advised to make especially sure that their children arrive at school on time; that students get proper rest and have a balanced breakfast before testing; and that students are encouraged to do their best.

A high school football jamboree will be played Friday afternoon and night at Biloxi High School stadium.

There will be three teams playing a 30-minute half each from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m., with three other teams playing at 6:45 p.m.

The schedule:

4:30 p.m.: Stone County, St. Martin and Pascagoula.

6:45 p.m.: Biloxi, George County and Harrison Central.

The Biloxi High School girls track team finished its season Saturday with a fantastic showing at the State Track Championships in Pearl.

The girls finished fourth of 28 teams competing. Three girls finished in the top three and brought home medals for their accomplishments; one is a repeat champion.

Coach Payton Ragon recognized the following team members:

-- Shannon Weyer—2-time State Champion/Gold Medalist in the 3200 Run and fourth place in the 1600 Run; set a school record and personal best for the 3200 Run with a time of 11 min. 55 sec.

-- Brooke Wilson---Silver medalist in the pole vault and tied a state class 5A record with a 9 foot jump

-- Camille Dunnings—Bronze medalist in the discus (120 feet, 4 inches); eighth place in the shot put

-- Samantha Sanders---Sixth place in the pole vault

-- Tisa Smith---Fourth place in long jump, fifth in 100 dash, and sixth in 100 hurdles

-- Caitlyn Andrews---Seventh place in the 1600 Run

-- Monique Ransom, Tyana Owens, Skyy Ray, and Tisa Smith—Fourth place in the 4X100 Relay

"The coaches would like to thank all the girls that participated this year in track and for making it a season of district and regional championships,” Ragon said. “We look forward to greater things next year and more girls’ getting a chance to compete at the State level. Thanks again for a great year. Please listen for more details to come on this year’s track banquet and the summer workout schedule.”

The Biloxi High School boys golf team finished eighth in the state last week in the state 5A high school golf championship at the Reunion Country Club course in Madison.

The Indians were led by Garrett Barnes, a 10th grader who shot respectable rounds of 79 and 76 for a 155 total.

Team members and their scores were:

Mike Foley - 10th grade - 170 total

Andrew Runyon - 10th grade - 172 total

Cory Hotchkiss - 10th grade - 174 total

D.J. King - 11th grader - 183 total