| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

Members of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning Tom Duff, from left, Gee Ogletree and Jeanne Luckey listen during a Health Affairs Committee meeting at the Universities Center in Ridgeland, Miss., Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

IHL failed to increase oversight of off-campus programs amid anxiety about looming enrollment cliff

Thu, 12/28/2023 - 02:01 PM

The board overseeing Mississippi public universities failed to pass a series of policy changes in November that would have increased its oversight of off-campus degree programs following months of unusually spirited discussion for the typically rehearsed public body.

Average Mississippi school internet speeds 20 times slower than neighboring states, watchdog says

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Thu, 12/28/2023 - 11:51 AM

Mississippi school districts’ average internet bandwidth was 20 times lower than neighboring states in the 2021-22 school year, according to a report from a legislative watchdog committee.

Local Superintendent shares post-pandemic hurdles that led to grade inflation

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Thu, 12/28/2023 - 10:31 AM

North Panola, among other districts, was part of a recent PEER report that showed students were not as proficient in assessments as grades reflected.

Mississippi’s public universities explained in 7 charts

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Thu, 12/28/2023 - 10:11 AM

More than ever, Mississippians are paying a premium for a public university education.

For some graduates, getting a four-year degree is a crucial step toward getting a job, while others are left with tens of thousands of dollars in debt, no matter their degree.

New State Superintendent shares goals, plans for Mississippi education system

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Tue, 12/26/2023 - 06:41 PM

Dr. Lance Evans talks confirmation, school choice, teacher shortages and more in first remarks since being named the next Mississippi State Superintendent.

Poll finds overwhelming support for school choice in Mississippi

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Tue, 12/26/2023 - 06:01 PM

A recent poll of Magnolia State voters shows that 8 in 10 people support school choice, and the results are universal across Republicans, Democrats and Independents.

A recent poll found a majority of people in the Magnolia State support having the freedom to use state funding to educate their children the way they see fit.

Jackson Public Schools board votes to close 13 school buildings

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Tue, 12/26/2023 - 05:31 PM

The board of the Jackson Public School District approved a plan Tuesday night to close 13 school buildings, with one board member dissenting.

In October, JPS district leadership introduced a plan to close 16 school buildings because of declining enrollment in the district. The district has lost around 9,500 students between the 2015-16 and 2023-24 school years, about a third of its population. The district has also previously consolidated schools.

SCSD Recognizes 2023-2024 District-Level Parent, Teacher and Administrator of the Year

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Thu, 12/21/2023 - 03:48 PM

Simpson County School District (SCSD) is proud to announce its District-Level Parent of the Year, Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year for the 2023-2024 School Year.

Stacy Chapin, of Magee, was selected as the SCSD Parent of the Year. A parent of three children attending Magee schools, Chapin is the current president of the SCSD Community Engagement Council, formerly the P-16 Council, and the president of the Magee High School PTO. An active member of her community, Chapin serves on the Magee Chamber of Commerce and is involved in the community theater.

Mississippi Dept. of Education meets with business leaders to discuss workforce needs

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Wed, 12/20/2023 - 03:21 PM

Expanding the ACT WorkKeys in more Mississippi schools seen as a useful tool for students and employers.

To ensure the needs of Mississippi’s workforce are being met, directors of the Mississippi Department of Education and Interim State Superintendent Raymond Morgigno participated in an advisory meeting last week with business and workforce development leaders in the Magnolia State.

State board considers revoking charter of new school with just 15 students

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Thu, 12/14/2023 - 05:21 PM

The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board is considering revoking the charter of a Canton school that opened its doors in August due to low enrollment.

PEER report shows instances of grade inflation, mastery decline in Mississippi schools

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Thu, 12/14/2023 - 04:41 PM

The Mississippi Department of Education says the local school districts would be responsible for establishing policies and procedures to prevent grade inflation as each districts sets its own grading policy.

SCS Beta Club Conducts Community Service Just in Time for Christmas

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Thu, 12/14/2023 - 02:46 PM

The Simpson Central School (SCS) Beta Club adopted five "angels," or children from the Simpson County area, this holiday season to provide for their Christmas. They also held a school-wide toy drive to benefit the Toys for Tots program, in which the families of SCS generously donated 105 toys.

SCS Beta Club sponsors Abigail Myers and Amber Young are extremely grateful to the SCS family for selflessly giving to others in the community this Christmas.

Miss. State ranks in top 100 universities for research and development expenditures

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Wed, 12/13/2023 - 04:41 PM

Mississippi State also ranks in the top 15 universities in three fields key to Mississippi’s economy: agriculture, natural resources and conservation, and aerospace engineering.

Mississippi 1 of 7 states to receive A in financial literacy education

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Wed, 12/13/2023 - 12:31 PM

Beginning in 2022, Mississippi high school students are required to take a Mississippi College and Career Readiness Course with a financial literacy component in order to graduate.

SCTC Features Health Informatics

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Mon, 12/11/2023 - 02:11 PM

Simpson County Technical Center (SCTC) is proud to feature its Health Informatics program, a relatively new interdisciplinary field in the health care industry that uses information technology to organize and analyze health records to improve health care outcomes.

Mississippi National Guard Honors Ole Miss Chancellor

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Mon, 12/11/2023 - 01:21 PM

The medal honors the university’s commitment to supporting veterans, military-connected students.

Maj. Gen. Trent Kelly recently presented University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce with the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the highest honor the Mississippi National Guard can bestow on a civilian.

Jackson Public School District adjusts plan to consolidate or close several schools

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Fri, 12/08/2023 - 05:51 PM

The Jackson Public School District unveiled its adjusted school consolidation plan Tuesday night, adding one elementary school and removing four from its initial list released earlier this fall.

Legislative review of Early Learning Collaboratives to lead to changes in data collection, curriculum

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Fri, 12/08/2023 - 05:11 PM

The Mississippi Dept. of Education is implementing a new computer system to track Pre-K achievement while also shifting to new curriculum expected to address math shortfalls.

Latino: Education choice not the issue in ACLU Mississippi lawsuit

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Fri, 12/08/2023 - 12:31 AM

Below is an opinion column by Russ Latino:

Supreme Court sets oral arguments on whether school vouchers are constitutional

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Fri, 12/08/2023 - 12:21 AM

The Mississippi Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Feb. 6, 2024, in a case challenging the constitutionality of providing public funds to private schools.

The Supreme Court will hear an appeal by the state of an October 2022 ruling by Hinds County Chancery Court Crystal Wise Martin who found it unconstitutional to provide public money to private schools.

The state, led by the office of Attorney General Lynn Fitch, is appealing Wise’s ruling.

North Panola, among other districts, was part of a recent PEER report that showed students were not as proficient in assessments as grades reflected.

Dr. Lance Evans talks confirmation, school choice, teacher shortages and more in first remarks since being named the next Mississippi State Superintendent.

A recent poll of Magnolia State voters shows that 8 in 10 people support school choice, and the results are universal across Republicans, Democrats and Independents.

Expanding the ACT WorkKeys in more Mississippi schools seen as a useful tool for students and employers.

The Mississippi Department of Education says the local school districts would be responsible for establishing policies and procedures to prevent grade inflation as each districts sets its own grading policy.

Mississippi State also ranks in the top 15 universities in three fields key to Mississippi’s economy: agriculture, natural resources and conservation, and aerospace engineering.

Beginning in 2022, Mississippi high school students are required to take a Mississippi College and Career Readiness Course with a financial literacy component in order to graduate.

The medal honors the university’s commitment to supporting veterans, military-connected students.

The Mississippi Dept. of Education is implementing a new computer system to track Pre-K achievement while also shifting to new curriculum expected to address math shortfalls.

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