MDE Seeks Sponsors for Summer Food Service Program
January 29, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education is seeking sponsors to operate the 2016 Summer Food Service Program in counties across the state. This program is administered by the Office of Child Nutrition.
Mississippi KIDS COUNT to Release New Report on Chronic Absenteeism, Student Achievement
February 1, 2016
WHO: Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education
Dr. Linda Southward, director of Mississippi KIDS COUNT
Hedy Chang, executive director of Attendance Works
Honorable Barbara O’Brien, former Lt. Governor of Colorado and senior policy advisor for the Campaign for Grade Level Reading
Four Mississippi Students Qualify as Candidates for U.S. Presidential Scholar
February 2, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – Four students at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) have qualified as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholar Award, which recognizes the most distinguished graduating seniors in the nation.
Each year, up to 161 students are chosen from among outstanding graduating seniors to become U.S. Presidential scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school seniors. The following MSMS students have been notified of their selection as candidates:
JROTC Promotes Leadership and Academic Success
February 18, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – The Rankin County School District provides an outstanding example of the opportunities that Mississippi’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) offers to high school students. As one of the largest youth development programs in the United States, JROTC provides students with learning, leadership and personal growth experiences that help shape them as citizens and leaders.
Among the nation’s 80,000 Army JROTC cadets in 2015, three Rankin County School District cadets were among the nation’s 20 Legion of Valor recipients.
Mississippi KIDS COUNT Releases School, District Data on Chronic Absenteeism
February 23, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – Using data provided by the Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi KIDS COUNT, located at Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center, has released chronic absenteeism results by individual schools and school districts.
Two Mississippi Students among Nation’s Top Youth Volunteers
February 24, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – Two Mississippi students are among a select group of students nationwide who have been recognized as top youth volunteers for 2016 in the 21st annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. More than 29,000 young people across the country participated in this year’s program.
Licensure Hearing for Clarksdale Principal to be Rescheduled
March 4, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – Heidelberg Elementary School Principal Lowanda Tyler-Jones’ hearing before the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development will be continued to a later date due to scheduling conflicts of commission members.
The hearing was originally set for 9 a.m. March 7. A new date will be announced soon.
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is seeking to revoke the license of Tyler-Jones. The MDE issued an administrative complaint against Tyler-Jones on Dec. 16, 2015.
MDE Releases Mississippi Assessment Program Practice Tests
March 10, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has released abbreviated practice tests for the Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP), which is the new statewide assessment for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for grades 3-8 and high school Algebra I and English II.
Revised Seclusion and Restraint Policy Available for Public Comment
March 18, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi’s first statewide policy on secluding or restraining students that are a danger to themselves or others is now available for public comment.
The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) voted Thursday to relaunch the public comment period on a policy for the use of seclusion and restraint in schools. In June 2015, the SBE approved a draft policy for public comment, and based on comments received, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) worked with various stakeholders to revise the policy.
State Superintendent Visits Madison Career and Technical Center
March 21, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education, visited the Madison Career and Technical Center Monday to talk to students and teachers about career and technical education. Wright toured the center’s programs, which include: Engineering and Robotics, Health Science, Polymer Science, Simulation and Animation Design, Digital Media Technology, Automotive Service, and a Teacher Academy.