Mississippi Code Title 37. Education § 37-16-1

(a) Assist in the identification of educational needs at the state, district and school levels.

(b) Assess how well districts and schools are meeting state goals and minimum performance standards.

(c) Provide information to aid in the development of policy issues and concerns.

(d) Provide a basis for comparisons among districts, between charter schools throughout the state and nonpublic charter schools in those school districts in which charter schools are located, and between districts, the state and the nation, where appropriate.

(e) Produce data which can be used to aid in the identification of exceptional educational programs or processes.