Latest news with #Vanderford
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mississippi students may no longer have to pass U.S. history assessment test to graduate
The Mississippi Board of Education voted to receive public comment on whether to eliminate the state U.S. history test as a high school graduation requirement. The Commission on School Accreditation had voted in a special meeting on April 15 to eliminate the test. Chief Accountability Officer Paula Vanderford argued the benefits of eliminating the test, noting scores from the U.S. history test aren't included in the Mississippi Department of Education's accountability report cards. If approved, the statewide U.S. History Mississippi Academic Assessment Program test would no longer be a graduation requirement beginning this fall. Mississippi students would still be required to take and pass U.S. history class to graduate from high school. Those who had to repeat senior year of high school would have to take other options. Vanderford suggested requiring a college and career readiness course as an alternative. Getting rid of the test, she said, would save the state money and add more weight to the other three state assessments: Algebra, Biology, and English. The board voted to open the move to public comment period. After that, it will come back to the board for a final vote in June. 'One point that we talked about in the subcommittee and have talked about at great length with the accountability task force is that we're one of the few states with high stakes assessments or high-stakes end-of-course assessments for graduation, so it's been quite a number of years since we've taken a look at that to see if we wanted to go with a different route,' said Vanderford. Some members of the board expressed concern that taking out the history test would have a negative impact on students' historical knowledge. Mary Werner, who voted against removing the test, stated 'I think history is so important, and American history is just…even from a former English teacher's point of view, if you don't have the history, you have a hard time understanding the literature,' said Mary Werner, who did not support removing the test. She voted not to move the issue to public comment. Vanderford explained that passing the history course would be enough to demonstrate mastery of the subject. Board of Education Chair Glen East was also expressed concerned, but said he was confident that Mississippi's history curriculum was strong. He ultimately voted to move the issue to public comment. 'I do not see us going backwards based on the plain increase in the curriculum and the rigor we have placed on it.' Kelly Riley, executive director of Mississippi Professional Educators, commented that she wasn't surprised by the decision. 'I think due to the evolving accreditation model as well as the amount of time that is required to be spent preparing for and administering state tests, I can't say that I'm surprised by today's decision,' she said. This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Mississippi students may no longer have to pass U.S. history assessment test to graduate
The Mississippi Board of Education voted to receive public comment on whether to eliminate the state U.S. history test as a high school graduation requirement. The Commission on School Accreditation had voted in a special meeting on April 15 to eliminate the test. Chief Accountability Officer Paula Vanderford argued the benefits of eliminating the test, noting scores from the U.S. history test aren't included in the Mississippi Department of Education's accountability report cards. If approved, the statewide U.S. History Mississippi Academic Assessment Program test would no longer be a graduation requirement beginning this fall. Mississippi students would still be required to take and pass U.S. history class to graduate from high school. Those who had to repeat senior year of high school would have to take other options. Vanderford suggested requiring a college and career readiness course as an alternative. Getting rid of the test, she said, would save the state money and add more weight to the other three state assessments: Algebra, Biology, and English. The board voted to open the move to public comment period. After that, it will come back to the board for a final vote in June. 'One point that we talked about in the subcommittee and have talked about at great length with the accountability task force is that we're one of the few states with high stakes assessments or high-stakes end-of-course assessments for graduation, so it's been quite a number of years since we've taken a look at that to see if we wanted to go with a different route,' said Vanderford. Some members of the board expressed concern that taking out the history test would have a negative impact on students' historical knowledge. Mary Werner, who voted against removing the test, stated 'I think history is so important, and American history is just…even from a former English teacher's point of view, if you don't have the history, you have a hard time understanding the literature,' said Mary Werner, who did not support removing the test. She voted not to move the issue to public comment. Vanderford explained that passing the history course would be enough to demonstrate mastery of the subject. Board of Education Chair Glen East was also expressed concerned, but said he was confident that Mississippi's history curriculum was strong. He ultimately voted to move the issue to public comment. 'I do not see us going backwards based on the plain increase in the curriculum and the rigor we have placed on it.' Kelly Riley, executive director of Mississippi Professional Educators, commented that she wasn't surprised by the decision. 'I think due to the evolving accreditation model as well as the amount of time that is required to be spent preparing for and administering state tests, I can't say that I'm surprised by today's decision,' she said. ___ This story was originally published by Mississippi Today and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
USA Today
24-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Off he goes: Austin Vanderford thinks Veretennikov likely gone for post-fight UFC Seattle shove
SEATTLE – Austin Vanderford beat Nikolay Veretennikov with a second-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 252 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Take a look inside the fight with Vanderford, a former Bellator title challenger who won his UFC debut more than six years after he first fought on DWCS. Austin Vanderford def. Nikolay Veretennikov Result: Austin Vanderford def. Nikolay Veretennikov via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:13 Updated records: Vanderford (13-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Veretennikov (12-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) Key stats: Vanderford had more than seven minutes of control time Vanderford on the fight's key moment 'Yeah, (Veretennikov will probably get cut for pushing me after the fight). It's tough (losing), and for me, no hard feelings. I know that sacrifices and what we do to go out there and to perform. I know the dreams and aspirations we all have, so I feel for the guy. But I mean, you go out there and you get dominated and then throw a fit (for losing), you probably don't deserve to be here.' Vanderford on support in move from 185 to 170 'I think just getting the right team around me – nutritionist and my coaches and stuff – and funny enough, making 170 for me now is easier than making 185. That's just the mentality and the discipline and the changes in my life I had to make to do that. I had some good wins against some quality guys at 185, but I think at 170 you'll really be able to see a a guy who can go out there and make a push at this. I have all the belief in the world with myself and I'm excited to go do that here in the UFC.' Vanderford on what he wants next 'I'll just go back, stay the course and get right back. I want to be really active this year and you know hopefully get back on in a month, two months or whatever. They've got a card in Miami. It would be cool to sneak on that. I'll get right back to work.' To hear more from Vanderford, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 252. Gallery Austin Vanderford def. Nikolay Veretennikov at UFC Seattle: Best photos View 26 photos Gallery UFC Fight Night 252: Official scorecards from Seattle View 36 photos
USA Today
23-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night 252 video: Austin Vanderford TKOs Nikolay Veretennikov, who responds with shove
Austin Vanderford's long wait to debut in the octagon paid off at UFC Fight Night 252 in the form of a second-round TKO of Nikolay Veretennikov. It was a dominant performance by former Bellator fighter Vanderford (13-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who is also known as the husband of Paige VanZant. He grappled Veretennikov (12-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) to the mat in the first and threatened with submissions, then picked up where he left off to ground-and-pound his way to a TKO at the 4:13 mark of Round 2. Veretennikov wasn't happy with the stoppage, and he made that much clear by charging across the octagon and pushed Vanderford from behind while he was talking to his team. Security quickly broke it up, and Vanderford celebrated the result. Check out the replay of the scenes below (via X): AUSTIN VANDERFORD GETS THE FINISH IN HIS UFC DEBUT 👏 #UFCSEATTLE — ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 23, 2025 Nikolay Veretennikov is not happy with Vanderford after his loss at #UFCSeattle.#UFCSeattle — Eddie (@Leonidasfitai) February 23, 2025 After the victory, Vanderford, who gets a late start to his UFC career at 34, said he'll be looking to make an impact in the welterweight division going forward. 'I took this fight on four days' notice, just stayed ready,' Vanderford said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. 'I would've like to make the fight a little more exciting, I landed some good shots. … I just want to continue to keep evolve and moving up the rankings.' Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 252 results include: For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC signs Austin Vanderford for Seattle card debut on days' notice
Austin Vanderford is a UFC fighter. Thirteen years after his competitive MMA journey began, Vanderford (12-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will debut Saturday at UFC Fight Night 252 in Seattle in a 175-pound catchweight bout vs. Nikolay Veretennikov. The bout will take place on the prelims at Climate Pledge Arena. Two people with knowledge of the matchup Tuesday informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Full Send MMA was first to report the bout. A Pacific Northwest representative, Vanderford and Veretennikov (12-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC), fill out a card that has been ravaged by injuries and cancellations. Vanderford, 34, is the husband of former UFC star Paige VanZant. He competed seven times in Bellator from 2019 to 2022 and compiled a 5-2 promotional record, including a failed title challenge vs. Gegard Mousasi. Vanderford became a free agent following the PFL-Bellator merger and won his LFA debut in 65 seconds in October. Veretennikov, 35, is a product of 'Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight' and 'Dana White's Contender Series. He debuted in August, but lost a split decision to Danny Barlow. With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 252 lineup now includes: MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET) Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong Brendan Allen vs. Anthony Hernandez Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Jean Silva Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto Alonzo Menifield vs. Julius Walker PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET) Melquizael Costa vs. Andre Fili Ibo Aslan vs. Ion Cutelaba Eric McConico vs. Nursulton Ruziboev Javid Basharat vs. Ricky Simon Austin Vanderford vs. Nikolay Veretennikov Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Nick Klein Modestas Bukauskas vs. Rafael Cerqueira For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.
