| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

State Board awards five school districts including SCSD $4.7M in grants to implement State Invested Pre-K programs

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 02:12 PM

JACKSON, Miss. – Today, the Mississippi State Board of Education awarded $4,725,000 in grants to five school districts to implement new State Invested Pre-K (SIP) programs.

The purpose of these grants is to provide funding to support high-quality pre-K programs for 4-year-old children in districts that are not part of the Mississippi Department of Education’s (MDE) Early Learning Collaborative program. SIP programs expand MDE’s offering of high-quality pre-K programs.

Over $422 million in pandemic-related education funds remain unspent in Mississippi

brandonsup

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 01:21 PM

The Mississippi Department of Education plans to request an extension to the liquidation deadline from the federal government by October.

As of the first of August, only a handful of school districts in Mississippi have spent all of the federal pandemic-related funding provided to the state’s K-12 education system through the America Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ARP ESSER.

However, the increases in spending through the federal funding helped boost education gains in the Magnolia State, lawmakers say.

Bridges retires but next step awaits

497

sfairchild

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 09:12 AM

“I always loved getting up and going to 111 Education Lane.”
Fan Bridges put a button on a 31-year career in education after retiring on Friday, August 9. She spent 25 of those years with the Simpson County School District.
During that time, she served in different roles including payroll clerk, bookkeeper, and secretary to the superintendent. Bridges has seen many changes made by the school district during this time to include technology and the way information and policies are stored online to board selected superintendents.

Katina Rankin, founder and CEO of Katina’s Klassroom; Dr. Paul Lawrence, superintendent, Simpson County Schools; Lance Bonner, president and CEO of Delta Industries, Inc.; Dinah Wilson, vice-president of Katina’s Klassroom. Photo Credit: Michael D. Jones

Rankin spearheads donation

sfairchild

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 08:40 AM

Katina’s Klassroom recently gave away school supplies to the Simpson County School District. It was all part of the Backpack and Books Giveaway event.
The books were delivered to SCDS’s central office for the special giveaway. The goal was to help homeless families in the county with their back-to-school expenses.

Corder & Pittari: Could new education funding formula cost state more than predicted?

brandonsup

Tue, 08/13/2024 - 12:51 PM

Below is a political analysis column by Frank Corder and Jeremy Pittari:

New weighted formula could create financial incentive to reclassify students and draw down additional state funds. Lawmakers say they will monitor, but are not too concerned with potential for abuse.

Immersive virtual reality lessons coming to Mississippi charter schools

brandonsup

Tue, 08/13/2024 - 12:11 PM

A Mississippi technology company will work with state charter schools to provide professional development and tailored VR content.

Students attending one of the 10 charter schools in Mississippi will now have access to educational programs delivered through virtual reality thanks to a federal grant and a partnership with a Mississippi tech company.

Jackson State University at Prentiss and J.R. Lynch Streets. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Jackson State faculty senate president on leave pending termination as faculty pledge support

brandonsup

Mon, 08/12/2024 - 01:31 PM

The accusation has sowed confusion and fear of retaliation among faculty who met Thursday night to discuss how to support Dawn McLin, a psychology professor whose family has deep roots at Jackson State.

Jackson State University faculty senate president Dawn McLin was placed on leave pending termination last week for allegedly abusing the power of the position, according to faculty who met Thursday night to discuss how to support her.

Corinth High School students win essay contest to experience “America’s Field Trip”

brandonsup

Mon, 08/12/2024 - 12:41 PM

The essay was for a contest for America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

What started as an optional class assignment to raise a grade turned into a trip of a lifetime for two Corinth High School seniors.

When Susan Bailey gave the assignment to write an essay about what America means to them, students Andrew Carpenter and Jerry Pham had no idea their work would result in a free trip.

Construction of Center for Medically Fragile Children back on track

brandonsup

Fri, 08/02/2024 - 02:21 PM

The new Center will be the first and only such facility in Mississippi.

After years of waiting and planning, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) this week announced that construction for the Alyce G. Clarke Center for Medically Fragile Children is officially underway. It is the first and only such facility in Mississippi.

Mississippi State University students walk to class on the Starkville campus. Credit: Molly Minta/Mississippi Today

‘Goals nobody can argue with’: Mississippi universities rebrand DEI to focus on access, opportunity and belonging

brandonsup

Fri, 08/02/2024 - 02:01 PM

The University of Mississippi is in the midst of restructuring its Division of Diversity and Community Engagement as other universities across the state have already made changes to their diversity, equity and inclusion offices, potentially in an effort to ward off a legislative ban.

Vendor scored thousands of state tests incorrectly, MDE finds

brandonsup

Fri, 08/02/2024 - 12:31 PM

Spring 2024 preliminary state test results reported to districts across the state were scored incorrectly according to the Mississippi Department of Education, leading the agency to end a contract with the company responsible for the error.

Drivers urged to exercise caution around school zones, buses and crossings

sfairchild

Thu, 08/01/2024 - 12:50 PM

As summer winds down and students head back to the classroom, the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents urges everyone to prioritize safety, especially around school zones, buses and crossings. A few extra moments of caution can make a world of difference in helping children stay safe.

Mississippi College, Clinton announce $200 million mixed-use development project

brandonsup

Wed, 07/31/2024 - 10:25 AM

The new “Rising Spring” development will feature a boutique hotel, numerous dining and shopping options, a primary care clinic, a grassy amphitheater, and more.

A 54-acre, mixed-use development will transform the physical and economic landscape near Mississippi College in Clinton, school and local leaders announced on Tuesday.

The $200 million development referred to as “Rising Spring” will be located along Interstate 20 and Highway 80 in Clinton.

Kindergarten readiness scores closer to pre-pandemic levels in Mississippi

brandonsup

Mon, 07/22/2024 - 01:41 PM

The results are used to create a baseline for instruction in the Pre-K and kindergarten classrooms.

The results from last school year’s Kindergarten Readiness Assessment are in and they show students are getting closer to pre-pandemic levels.

Members of the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Department of Education were presented the results during Thursday’s meeting.

Judge exempts 7 Mississippi universities from revised Title IX rule

brandonsup

Mon, 07/22/2024 - 01:31 PM

Community colleges, universities and private institutions are among the schools affected by the Kansas judge’s unusual ruling.

A federal judge has temporarily excused seven universities and community colleges in Mississippi from complying with the Biden Administration’s revised Title IX rule that expanded protections for LGBTQ+ and pregnant and parenting students.

Miss. Dept. of Education rolling out new system to better track student achievement

brandonsup

Fri, 07/19/2024 - 12:21 PM

MSIS 2.0 addresses deficiencies in reporting that left Head Start student achievement untracked.

A new tracking system for student progress is rolling out across the state of Mississippi. It is expected to address a previous deficiency where Head Start student accomplishments were not being recorded.

Members of the Mississippi Department of Education Board of Trustees heard an update on the rollout of MSIS 2.0 during Thursday’s meeting.

John Kraman, Chief Information Officer, told the Board the rollout began on June 28.

Members of the Mental Health Task Force Committee listen to presentations during their meeting at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

State task force to tackle K-12, college students’ mental health

brandonsup

Fri, 07/19/2024 - 12:01 PM

A committee of legislators and state leaders convened at the Capitol this week to discuss mental health issues facing young Mississippians.

School and health officials cited a scarcity of mental health professionals for K-12 and college students in Mississippi as a major issue.

Mississippi schools to share nearly $240 million more in education funding this fiscal year

brandonsup

Thu, 07/18/2024 - 02:41 PM

House Education Chairman Roberson cautions school districts that saw a significant increase in funding to use it wisely.

Starting July 1, a new funding formula went into effect for Mississippi’s K-12 public education system. Some school districts will receive millions in additional funding under the new formula that replaces the former Mississippi Adequate Education Program, or MAEP.

Timothy Holdiness: What Have We Become? Why Hate So Much?

appealproduction

Thu, 07/18/2024 - 01:15 PM

On Saturday evening, I was laying in bed, scrolling on TikTok. A little after 6:00 p.m., I saw a livestream of former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I watched for a bit before swiping up. The next thing I knew, I received a notification from AP News that Trump had been rushed off stage.

Federal grant funds professional growth for Mississippi Delta STEM teachers

brandonsup

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 05:31 PM

Delta State University has launched a new program to help STEM teachers in the Delta.

The Collaborative for Rural STEM Education program provides resources and professional development. Its funding comes from a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Community Polls

Contact Information

Follow Us

Our Apps