An overview of public education in Mississippi during the 1983-84 fiscal year, from the point of view of the state department of education, is presented in this annual report. The report opens with a letter from the state superintendent that reviews major changes in the structure of state educational administration: the appointment of a new nine-member State Board of Education, the board's appointment of a state superintendent of education (an action replacing the previous elective process), and a reorganization of the state Department of Education. The report identifies the nine state board members and lists their recommendations to the 1985 session of the state legislature. The remainder of the report is devoted to reports highlighting significant activities and programs run by the divisions handling administration and finance, Chapter 1 oversight, instruction, junior colleges, school construction and transportation, and vocational and technical education. Charts and tables displaying education's share of state expenditures, trends in Scholastic Aptitude Test scores and primary grade enrollment, and current levels of teacher employment and salaries conclude the document. (PGD)