NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: August 9, 2021
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) will deploy digital learning coaches to 62 schools across the state to help build the capacity of teachers and administrators to use educational technology to improve student outcomes.
The coaches are part of the Mississippi Connects initiative, which provides every public-school student in Mississippi with the technology to learn. The selected schools are in the 29 school districts that submitted applications to MDE for digital learning coaching support. Schools were selected based on the highest level of need and the expertise and the proximity of coaches.
MDE’s digital learning coaches will work with school leadership to select a cohort of four to six teachers to receive individualized coaching support throughout the 2021-22 school year. The teachers will receive weekly coaching conferences, classroom observations, collaborative lesson planning, modeling and co-teaching. Coaches also will provide schoolwide support including digital learning planning and professional development.
“Educational technology provides teachers with new opportunities to help students learn and collaborate in innovative ways,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “The digital learning coaching program is designed to help teachers effectively use technology to advance student learning.”
The Mississippi Connects initiative made Mississippi the only state in the nation with a digital learning program that includes computer devices for all students and teachers, software to deliver instruction, enhanced internet connectivity, professional development for digital teaching and learning, and increased access to telehealth/teletherapy.
Districts Selected for the 2021-22 Digital Learning Coach Program
Columbus Municipal School District
Covington County School District
East Jasper School District
East Tallahatchie School District
Franklin County School District
Greenville Public School District
Hazlehurst City School District
Hollandale School District
Itawamba County
Jackson Public School District
Scott County School District
Laurel School District
Lawrence County School District
Leland School District
Marshall County
Natchez-Adams
Nettleton School District
North Bolivar Consolidated School District
North Tippah Schools
Noxubee County School District
Okolona Municipal School District
Pearl River County School District
Perry County
Pontotoc City School District
Pontotoc County School District
Wayne County School District
West Bolivar Consolidated School District
West Tallahatchie School District
Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District
Full descriptions of coaching support can be found in Digital Learning Coach Program: Coaching Supports.
Media Contact:
Jean Cook, APR
Director of Communication
601-359-3515
jcook@mdek12.org