School Focus Winter 2021

School Focus

a glimpse into Mississippi’s K-12 classrooms

Winter 2021 | VOL. 5 | ISSUE 1

Partnership School Unites Learning Communities �����������p. 14

MDE Successfully Mobilizes Digital Learning During the Pandemic ������ p. 6

School Focus

M

WELCOME

Winter 2021 | VOL. 5 | ISSUE 1

CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ississippi educators met unprec-

Nathan Oakley

edented challenges head-on this

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Patrice Guilfoyle

academic year with innovative

teaching methods and sheer determination to

MANAGING EDITOR

continue instruction no matter the climate or

Carl Smith

environment, and we here at the Mississippi

EDITOR

Department of Education (MDE) could not be

Heather Craig

prouder of those dedicated to public education.

In this issue of School Focus, we’ll reflect on a few of the initiatives sparked by the COVID-19 outbreak and look ahead at a few that will

DESIGNER

Amanda Gronewold

WRITERS

greatly improve educational opportunities and outcomes across the state.

After classrooms went virtual last academic year and digital instruction became a new normal, the Legislature helped us provide technology to school districts in need to ensure students continued to learn (p. 6).

I’d like to personally thank everyone involved with making this program — Mississippi Connects — both a reality and a success in such a short

Heather Craig Will Graves Amanda Gronewold Carl Smith Brock Turnipseed All photos were submitted by the MDE or their respective districts unless otherwise noted.

amount of time.

Our feature story discusses a transformative partnership between Mississippi State University (MSU) and the Starkville Oktibbeha

ON THE COVER

Consolidated School District that will expose students of on-campus learning environments not found anywhere else in the district (p. 14).

Additionally, the new campus will allow MSU College of Education students — the next generation of teachers — to receive hands-on learning experiences and classroom observations unlike any they’ve had in the past.

I’m excited to see how new social emotional learning standards (p.

22), high-quality instructional materials (p. 28) and computer science curricula available to students as early as middle school (p. 30) also improve learning outcomes in the future.

These stories, along with features on Mississippi’s Administrator (p.

10), Teacher (p. 20) and Parent (26) of the Year, and other news and recog-

Photo by Megan Bean, MSU Office of Public Affairs

nitions in this issue highlight the great things happening in our schools.

Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District

Thank you for being part of educating all of Mississippi’s children.

Superintendent Eddie Peasant (right) tours the newly

Nathan Oakley

constructed Partnership Middle School with Mississippi

Chief Academic Officer

State University President Mark Keenum in July

Mississippi Department of Education

before the start of the 2020-2021 academic year.

Read more on p. 14.

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Winter 2021

Visit us online at rcu.msstate.edu/schoolfocus

TABLE OF CONTENTS Mississippi Schools Receive National Blue Ribbon Honors ��������4 New Members Join Student Advisory Council ������������������������������������5 Mississippi Connects ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������6 MDE Successfully Mobilizes Digital Learning During the Pandemic Insights From Mississippi's State Superintendent of Education �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9 Administrator of the Year �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10 Houghton's Hands-On Support, Data-Driven Goals Foster Success MSMS Junior Selected as MSBE Student Representative ���������� 12 MPB Launches Classroom TV ������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 Better Together ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 14 Starkville-MSU Partnership Provides New Opportunities to Current Students, Future Teachers

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6

MDE Announces New Teacher Advisory Council Members ���� 19 Teacher of the Year ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 20 Austin Forges Personal, Global Connections With Students Social Emotional Learning Standards ������������������������������������������������� 22 Formalizing ‘That Special Something’ for Mississippi’s Teachers, Classrooms Science Teachers Earn Presidential Awards for Excellence ����� 25 Parent of the Year ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 26 McCusker Promotes Cohesion in Parent Group

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22

High-Quality Instruction ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 28 Initiative Closing Student Gaps Through Better Materials Teaching Tech ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 30 MDE Deploys Groundbreaking Computer Science Curricula Mississippi Leads the South in College Persistence ������������������� 33 Quality Counts: State Shows Great Improvement ����������������������� 34 SBE Approves ACT WorkKeys as Measure of Career Readiness �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 35

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30

Winter 2021

3

School Focus

Mississippi Schools Receive National Blue Ribbon Honors The

U.S. Department

of

Education recognized Center Hill High School (DeSoto County School District), D’Iberville Elementary School (Harrison County School District), Madison Station

Elementary

School

(Madison County School District) and Popp’s Ferry Elementary School (Biloxi Public School District) as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020.

The recognition was based on the schools' overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“This prestigious honor is the result of hard work by teachers,

Top left: Former fifth graders at Madison Station Elementary (Madison County School District)

administrators, students and

pose during a science lesson.

parents. I congratulate them on their awards and for providing an outstanding education to all students,” said Dr. Carey Wright,

Top right: Dr. Todd Boucher, who led Popp’s Ferry Elementary School (Biloxi Public School District) as principal when it was nominated for the National Blue Ribbon School distinction, poses with students and a faculty member.

the state superintendent of

Bottom: Past graduating seniors at Center Hill High School (DeSoto County School District)

education.

pose for the traditional Mustang Walk.

The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.

The department recognizes schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates: Exemplary high-performing schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests, and exemplary achievement gap-closing schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Both Center Hill and Madison Station were recognized as high-performing schools, and D’Iberville and Popp’s Ferry were recognized as achievement gap-closing schools.

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Winter 2021

“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” said former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the A montage of photos shows D’Iberville Elementary School

Council for American Private Education.

(Harrison County School District) students learning.

New Members Join Student Advisory Council The State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council now has more than 200 members after 163 students were chosen last year to join the group.

More than 300 students from across the state applied for membership on the council and 163 were selected. They join the more than 70 students who were selected in 2019. The council includes students in grades 11-12 or their first year in college, and they serve as members for a term of two school years.

These students from different backgrounds, school size and regions of Mississippi will share their opinions and offer advice about educational opportunities and policy in the state with Dr. Carey Wright, the state superintendent of education.

“I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with such smart, insightful students, and I’m looking forward to hearing from our new members on issues of importance to them,” Wright said. “The public school students of our state are our clients, and we need to ensure that we provide them with the opportunities they need to be successful. The council also allows students, who wouldn’t normally have the chance to interact, to talk with peers in different areas of our state.”

The council’s purpose is to provide a forum for Mississippi’s students to offer diverse perspectives to Wright. The selected students will act as liaisons between the Mississippi Department of Education and public school students from across the state.

Visit mdek12.org/sites/default/files/docs/News/2020_new_sac_final.pdf for a full list of new State Superintendent's Advisory Council members.

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MISSISSIPPI

Connects

MDE Successfully Mobilizes Digital Learning During the Pandemic Will Graves

M

ore than 325,000 tech

in Distance Learning Act (EDLA) and

the opportunity to re-imagine the

devices were distrib-

the Mississippi Pandemic Response

digital learning experience and cre-

uted to school districts

Broadband Availability Act to fund

ate an innovative approach to getting

across the state this fall, marking

Mississippi Connects. This funding

students what they need to learn,

the successful launch of Mississippi

made Mississippi the only state in

whether in a classroom or at home,”

Connects, the Mississippi Department

the nation at the time to implement

she said. “With this investment from

of Education’s (MDE’s) digital learning

a comprehensive digital learning

the Legislature, Mississippi sees the

plan.

program that provided computers to

urgent need for technology and is

every public school student in the

ready to meet that need to ensure

state.

every student can succeed.”

As school leaders began navigating the challenges of the worldwide pandemic and shifted to distance-learning

Dr. Carey Wright, Mississippi’s

models in 2020, it became clear how

state superintendent of education,

vital computer access was to the con-

applauded the Legislature for its

tinuity of classroom learning.

investment to provide all students

To ensure students and teachers were equipped for virtual classes, the

with the digital tools necessary to be successful learners.

To receive computers through the program, school districts conducted surveys to evaluate the need for access to technology and internet services, allowing them to determine how many devices were needed

Mississippi Legislature allocated $200

“The unexpected need for distance

throughout their own districts. Each

million to the MDE through the Equity

learning provided Mississippi with

district applied to reserve the number

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Winter 2021

feature

f

of devices it needed and submitted a

students in grades 7-12 were already

instructional technology and distance

digital learning plan.

equipped with devices. Mississippi

learning for the Starkville Oktibbeha

Connects allowed the district to pro-

Consolidated School District (SOCSD),

vide devices to all pre-K through sixth

the EDLA provided a quick turnaround

grade students.

in computer program enrollment and

Devices began arriving at school districts in September, and all schools received their requests by November.

“This year, our order [for grades Prior to the launch of Mississippi

7-12] was for 4,650 MacBook Airs

Connects, some districts were already

that were rolled out at the beginning

working toward a goal of a 1-to-1 stu-

of the school year. We received 5,050

dent-to-device ratio. In the Rankin

Chromebooks that supplemented

County School District (RCSD),

what we had on hand for grades 3-6 and 4,710 iPads for pre-K through second grade,” said Dr. Amanda Harris, the RCSD director of technology. “[Because of Mississippi Connects], we were able to finally get our pre-K through sixth grade students to a 1-to-1 device ratio.”

installation so devices could be distributed almost immediately.

“There were many MDE meetings and webinars that we attended during September and October to prepare ourselves for receiving the devices,” she said. “Once the devices were received, the SOCSD organized them in numerical order; placed an SOCSD sticker on each device; assigned inventory numbers to each school in the district; organized training for students,

The rollout for Mississippi Connects

parents and teachers; and provided

was a massive undertaking due to

distribution dates and times over a

the sheer number of devices needed

three-week period in November.”

during a time of extremely high demand for computers, but accord-

While the first major step of the

ing to Dr. Leanne Long, the director of

program was to get computers to all students in the state, the new digital learning plan also expanded internet connectivity, provided access to digital curricula and learning management systems and connected students to telehealth and teletherapy services, as well as training and technology support for successful digital learning.

“We were able to expand outdoor Wi-Fi access at all of our middle and high schools,” Harris said.

“Additionally, we purchased a fleet

Opposite page: Charley Miller (left) and Moses Robinson, two students enrolled at Rankin County School District's (RCSD's) Puckett Elementary School, pose with laptops distributed this fall.

of personal hot spots available for checkout, community hot spots that have been installed at churches in rural areas and bus hot spots that

Top: RCSD Network Specialist Hunter Brock works alongside members of Highland Bluff

can be deployed as needed. Our goal

Elementary School’s student technology team during the fall semester.

is that access to reliable Wi-Fi will

Bottom: RCSD staff at Pelahatchie Elementary School prepare new laptops for use before

be available to students who do not

distributing them to students in the fall semester.

otherwise have it in the event they

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are in a quarantine or stay-at-home learning environment.”

The expansion of virtual learning was a significant change for many educators, students and parents in a short amount of time. Mississippi Connects continues to provide online resources ensuring all students can continue learning from school or home and that teachers have the training and support needed for their new, innovative classroom environments.

For William Bradford, a math teacher at Jackson Public Schools’ (JPS’) Murrah High School, the efforts of teachers and administrators in the early stages of the transition to virtual learning

Clockwise from top left:

are continuing to pay off, and he wants parents

•

From left to right: District 43 Rep. Rob Roberson discusses technology

to know students are still actively engaging with

needs of students brought on by the shift to distance learning with

teachers and diving into course materials during

Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District (SOCSD) Director of

class time despite not being in a traditional face-

Instructional Technology Dr. Leanne Long, District 38 Rep. Cheikh Taylor

to-face setting.

and SOCSD Superintendent Dr. Eddie Peasant prior to a demonstration of hardware in November.

“This is uncharted territory,” he said in a JPS video post. “We’re all new to it, but I would defi-

•

and Kylon Hampton work together in class on a SOCSD Chromebook.

nitely say to give it a chance because there is … learning going on. Our teachers here at Murrah,

Partnership Middle School (PMS) seventh graders Sophie Taylor (left)

•

From left to right: PMS seventh graders Mary Reeves Gordon, Madison

as well as across the district, have done a lot

Scott, Addyson Vickers and Kylee Ledlow utilize Chromebooks for an

of preparation to make sure that your child is

in-class project in November.

not just looking at a screen for 60 minutes. Your child is interacting with the teacher, as well as the instruction piece.”

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Winter 2021

Insights

FROM MISSISSIPPI’S STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION Dr. Carey Wright

What was the most important lesson the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) learned from the COVID-19 outbreak and the move to hybrid/online instruction?

I believe the most important lesson we learned from the pandemic is when challenges arise, we can come together as an agency and seek solutions that will help schools and districts.

In March 2020, we worked with the Mississippi State Board of Education to waive policies we thought would cause an undue burden to school districts at a time of an abrupt halt to public education as we knew it.

We waived testing requirements and accountability. We made sure teachers had learning resources and relief from licensure requirements. We increased online professional development for teachers and launched a high-quality instructional materials website and student book selection guidance. We connected schools with sources for personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies.

We also brought together a group of superintendents to develop guidance documents for district leaders around considerations for restarting school in fall 2020, and we encouraged school districts to select the learning environment that worked best for their students and families. They had the option of in-person instruction, virtual learning or a combination of the two.

Overall, we tried to address issues as they arose by pulling together all the resources at our disposal and supporting teachers, leaders and students as much as possible.

What are public education’s biggest accomplishments during this crisis?

What are the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on instruction?

As for schools and districts, I believe their biggest accomplishment during this crisis was employing creative solutions to provide students what they needed, whether that was sending school buses to deliver meals to neighborhoods or using them as Wi-Fi hot spots so children could have internet access.

I think online learning will be an ongoing part of public education. Through Mississippi Connects, we are increasing online professional development for teachers and administrators to enhance online instruction.

As for the MDE, our biggest accomplishment was developing and implementing Mississippi Connects, a statewide digital learning initiative, to provide technology to every Mississippi public school student. The project, which would have normally taken up to two years to plan and implement, was completed in weeks.

Once funded by the Mississippi Legislature in July, the work began immediately on the ambitious $200 million initiative to put a device in the hands of every student and to improve access to the internet. Executing such a complex statewide technology plan required coordination from all stakeholders — MDE staff, elected leaders, lawmakers, school and district administrators and vendors. The result was device delivery in the first district

by Sept. 30.

Winter 2021

Now that every student has access to a device, we will be actively working with state and federal partners to improve internet access across the state. We realize there are some pockets of Mississippi with little to no connectivity. For me, that is an issue of equity. All students, no matter where they live, should have the resources they need to be successful in school.

This is 2021. Access to the internet should be a right for all.

With Mississippi and the nation facing a teacher shortage, we can take this opportunity to expand students’ access to high-quality instruction through online learning. If a school district has trouble finding a chemistry teacher, we could use technology to connect students from that district to a chemistry teacher in another district. Those two districts could work out a salary arrangement that would provide the teacher instructing both classes additional income.

The possibilities are limitless.

9

School Focus

s

Administrator

spotlight

OF THE YEAR

Houghton's Hands-On Support, Data-Driven Goals Foster Success Amanda Gronewold

T

he Mississippi Department

in testing scores and proficiency levels

of Education (MDE) named

in the past five years.

Debra Houghton, the prin-

cipal at Mannsdale Upper Elementary School (MUES) in the Madison County

Concerned by her students’ proficiency levels in reading and math after the school’s first year of instruc-

School District, the Mississippi

tion, Houghton set aggressive goals to

Administrator of the Year for 2020.

improve those percentages.

Houghton has served as the prin-

The work paid off. The school

cipal for MUES since it was estab-

increased its proficiency in reading

lished in 2015. There, her impact on

score by almost 16% and its profi-

the school, which houses grades 3-5,

“That data shows that our focus on

ciency in math score by more than

proficiency is working to help our stu-

is evident in its drastic improvements

23%. MUES also improved from a B to

dents,” she said.

an A in the MDE’s statewide accountability system.

While data is important to Houghton, her leadership goes beyond scores and numbers. Lauren Shotts, a math teacher at MUES, expressed admiration for Houghton’s hands-on, supportive approach. Houghton’s selection as Administrator of the Year came to her as no surprise.

“She is a distinguished leader,” Shotts said. “She meets with her teachers individually to come up with personal goals, she always asks what she can do to help us and she has those Principal Debra Houghton (right) of Mannsdale Upper Elementary School (MUES) in the

uncomfortable conversations with her

Madison County School District (MCSD) is pictured with MCSD Assistant Superintendent

teachers when they are needed.”

Edith Mitchell (left) and MUES Physical Education Coach Rolando Roman after Roman was awarded a Nissan grant in 2020.

School Focus

Shotts also lauded Houghton’s drive to create new initiatives to help their

10

Winter 2021

spotlight

s

Top left: Houghton (back row, pink shirt) is pictured with Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Gipson (front row, right) and a group of MUES students and faculty after the school was presented an agricultural grant from the state in the fall of 2019.

Bottom left: Houghton (second from left) holds the Administrator of the Year award she received from the MCSD in 2019. She is pictured with (from left) Mitchell, MCSD Superintendent Charlotte Seals and MUES Assistant Principal Nicole Cockrell.

Bottom right: Houghton (left) is pictured in the MUES office during the spring 2020 semester with Cockrell (back right) and students Annika Tuggle, Walker Knight, Avery Trowbridge and Rylie Westbrooks.

students, such as MAVS on the MOVE,

“You have to do what’s best for your

she said. “We don’t need to compete

a group of high-achieving third grad-

school at the time, and what’s best

against each other; we need to help

ers placed into a classroom together

for my school right now is to focus on

to learn both third and fourth grade

people’s emotions,” she said.

math standards.

Houghton’s compassion for stu-

each other. It’s about helping every kid in the state, not just about helping my kids.”

“This has been an amazing expe-

dents extends beyond those in her

rience,” Shotts said of MAVS on the

school. She stressed the importance

Dr. Carey Wright, the state super-

MOVE. “These students love to learn,

of networking with other adminis-

intendent of education, congratulated

and we are able to push them to that

trators across the state. During her

Houghton and other Administrator

next level. [Houghton] always has a

term as president of the Mississippi

vision in everything she does.”

Association of Elementary School

Looking

beyond

test

scores

proved to be especially important in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Houghton to shift the school’s priorities from testing to social emotional learning.

Winter 2021

Principals, Houghton established a

of the Year finalists on their commitment, saying they “showed out-

group of Jackson-area elementary

standing leadership and dedication

principals that meets periodically to

throughout their careers, and the

share ideas and best practices.

students benefit greatly from having

“We’re the state of Mississippi, and we need to work together as a state,” 11

these professionals working on their behalf.”

School Focus

MSMS Junior Selected as MSBE Student Representative The Mississippi State Board of Education (MSBE) selected Amy Zhang of Starkville to serve as the high school junior student representative to the MSBE for the 20202021 school year.

Student representatives are nonvoting members but provide input on policy decisions that affect Mississippi public schools. Amy will join Omar Jamil of Hernando, who serves as the high school senior representative to the MSBE. “The Board is proud to welcome Amy to the student representative program and is looking forward to her contributions to our work,” said Dr. Jason Dean, the MSBE chair. “Students bring tremendous insight to the board, and we value their perspective.”

Student representatives serve for two years. After the senior representative graduates, the junior representative will promote to the senior representative position.

A new junior representative is appointed annually.

Zhang is a junior at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, a residential public high school for academically gifted and talented juniors and seniors across the state.

Zhang earned a 4.85 grade point average (GPA), achieved a perfect score of 36 on the ACT and successfully completed numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

She is an award-winning debate and National History Day competitor and served in numerous school and civic leadership positions including Starkville High School

Amy Zhang (top) and Christian Dunne

(SHS) Speech and Debate Club president, Starkville-Mississippi State University Chinese School choreographer, MATHCOUNTS student coach, Starkville Mayor Youth Council member and Oktibbeha Young Leaders.

"The personal involvement my community has in the education system motivates me to serve as the student representative because I know how much I can benefit Mississippi,” she said.

The alternate junior representative is Christian Dunne, a junior at SHS in the Starkville-Oktibbeha School District. Alternates are named to fulfill the term of student representatives, should they be unable to complete their term for any reason.

Dunne achieved a 4.72 GPA, successfully completed numerous AP courses and served as class representative on the student council during his freshman and sophomore years. An award-winning singer and actor, Christian is an active member of the SHS Singers and Thespian Troupe, is a varsity soccer player and held numerous volunteer positions in his community.

“I love service, and I love feeling like I’m truly making a difference,” he said. “I don’t think there is anywhere better to make a difference than in a place that will impact countless lives through education.”

Approximately 15 state boards of education have successfully implemented student advisory programs.

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Winter 2021

MPB Launches Classroom TV Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB), in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), created a new television channel — MPB Classroom TV — in 2020 to help serve students now and into the future.

The channel airs weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and provides televised instructional content to all learners, from pre-K children to high school seniors.

MPB Classroom TV was developed to support and address needs of Mississippi students, teachers and parents as they navigate educational challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some students face issues that cause them to miss instruction, including a lack of access to the internet and technology needed for virtual learning environments.

MPB Classroom TV content was developed in collaboration with the MDE and includes pre-recorded, 25-minute lessons taught by certified teachers that are aligned to the Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards.

The content will benefit students and adults who are supporting students learning at home. New content will be added as the school year continues.

"MDE staff members have worked with MPB ... to develop educational content for this channel, which will reach homes across the state. Resources such as these are critical to ensuring that all students and families have access to high-quality learning, even if they currently don't have access to the internet," said Dr. Carey Wright, the Mississippi state superintendent of education.

Viewers do not need internet at home to watch MPB Classroom TV. The channel is not available on cable and satellite services. To receive and watch this channel, viewers must use an antenna on their TVs. Cable and satellite subscribers will need to purchase a low-cost antenna and change the TV’s input setting. Individuals who already only use antennas will need to rescan their TVs to pick up the new channel.

MPB Classroom TV channels

By providing broadcast instruction on the same subjects taught in schools, students can continue to receive direct instruction even while at home. Content is also available for on-demand viewing on the MPB Classroom TV website as

• WMAH/Biloxi 19.5 • WMAE/Booneville 12.5 • WMAU/Bude 17.5 • WMAO/Greenwood 23.5 • WMPN/Jackson 29.5 • WMAW/Meridian 14.5 • WMAB/Mississippi State University 2.5 • WMAV/Oxford/University of Mississippi 18.5

well as MPB’s YouTube channel, under the MPB Classroom TV playlist.

“It has been a rewarding experience to be in the trenches with MDE teachers and coaches to develop such a great resource for our children,” said MPB Director of Education Tara Wren. “I am hopeful that MPB Classroom TV is a resource parents and teachers depend on to make their lives a little easier during this pandemic when education instruction is so volatile.”

Learn more at education.mpbonline.org/mpb-classroom-tv/.

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Together BETTER

feature

Starkville-MSU Partnership Provides New Opportunities to Current Students, Future Teachers Carl Smith

A

new Starkville Oktibbeha

community where two school districts

faculty use the school as a place to

Consolidated

operated separately until a state-or-

practice research in the classroom and

dered merger occurred six years ago.

offer professional development to its

School

District (SOCSD) mid-

dle school located on the Mississippi State University (MSU) campus is posi-

As its name suggests, collaboration

faculty, while the college’s undergrads and graduate students observe class-

tioned — literally and figuratively —

is what sets this school apart from

to provide one-of-a-kind educational

others: It was specifically planned and

about what it really means to be a

opportunities to its students and pre-

constructed not only to bring children

teacher — a picture not fully colored

pare the next generation of teachers

together in specialized classrooms, but

by textbooks or lectures.

with hands-on training in a real-world

also to have students and teachers

environment unlike anywhere else in

plugged directly into the university

Although the outbreak of COVID-

the state.

setting where they benefit from imme-

19 slowed the complete integration

diate access to faculty and research

of college observers throughout the

Opened for the 2020-2021 academic year, Partnership Middle School (PMS)

from a wide variety of disciplines.

room life and learn the finer details

building, Dr. Nathan Oakley, the Mississippi Department of Education’s

serves all Oktibbeha County sixth

The campus also serves as an

(MDE's) chief academic officer, said the

and seventh graders — an important

intersection where theory and prac-

school will pay great dividends once it

point of pride for administrators in a

tice meet: MSU College of Education

gets up to speed.

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f

Opposite page: From left: Mississippi State University Provost David Shaw and President Mark Keenum celebrate the opening of Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District’s (SOCSD's) Partnership Middle School (PMS) with Superintendent Eddie Peasant and Principal Julie Kennedy in July before the start of the 2020-2021 academic year. While the pandemic hamstrung many of the school’s planned activities, officials with the university and the Mississippi Department of Education say the unique collaboration will provide cutting-edge resources for all local sixth and seventh graders, college students training to become educators and district teachers.

This page: Top: Kennedy (center, speaking) leads teachers on a tour of the campus while it is under construction.

Bottom: Keenum and Peasant inspect the school's gymnasium this summer during a tour of the completed facility.

Photos by Megan Bean, MSU Office of Public Affairs

“The little I’ve seen so far from it

one of the first meetings in 2013 ahead

the previous century. The city school

is remarkable. It’s a great example of

of the Mississippi Legislature-ordered

district, for example, survived finan-

the value of a collaborative approach

consolidation of the two local school

cially on Starkville’s tax base and

where broad stakeholder input and

districts demoralized and unsure how

even expanded its territory into out-

support from a community came

all the associated entities would ever

lying areas outside of the municipal-

together to address a need,” he said.

come together in harmony.

ity, while county residents as a whole

“It’s not solely benefitting the kids, the university’s instructors or its education majors. No matter what angle you look at this from, it’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

Coming Together David Shaw, MSU’s former vice

Parents of students in both dis-

routinely opposed bond issuances —

tricts — the former Oktibbeha County

additional tax increases — for the pri-

School District (OCSD) and Starkville

marily African American OCSD.

School District — wanted the best for their children and what would become SOCSD, but decades of grievances and distrust came to a head that night.

“Books could be written about what we went through during the commission process itself,” said Shaw, who served as the university’s represen-

president for research and economic

Many issues lingered unresolved

tative on the consolidation commis-

development, said he walked out of

since the desegregation orders of

sion charged by the Legislature with

Winter 2021

15

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feature

Adrienne Minor, who teaches English Language Arts to sixth graders at PMS works with her masked and socially distanced students during the fall semester. presenting a plan on how to bring the two systems together in 2015.

MSU officials had long worked with both school systems, with efforts

After studying the university-pub-

transparent set of conversations. What

lic school partnerships that existed

came out was what nobody thought of

in the nation at the time, Shaw and

initially, but it uniquely fits our needs.”

MSU administrators pitched an early college high school-styled campus

Ground

broke

on

the

128,000-square-foot facility in 2017

including administering programs

modeled after an existing Ohio State

that provided teacher education, men-

University program to stakehold-

toring and tutoring. Shaw and local

ers, but they rejected the idea out of

public education stakeholders always

concerns the university was “trying

knew the potential existed for an

to construct a school for … faculty’s

opportunity that could fundamentally

and staff’s children and [was] going to

change education in both the county

siphon off the best kids for it,” thereby

Shaw, now the university’s provost,

and state by bringing the three entities

perpetuating two separate educational

was on hand for 2020’s ribbon cutting

together under one roof.

pathways for families of different

and dedication ceremony. Great team-

socio-economic classes in the same

work, he said, is why the project came

county.

to fruition.

Shaw and his MSU cohort got their opportunity: The same legislative measure that forced Oktibbeha County residents to confront years of

after about $30 million was secured from a variety of public funds and private donations. The university also donated about 40 acres toward the effort.

“We walked away knowing we had

“This really is the best example I’ve

to start all over again. We had listening

ever seen of a community coming

sessions in the county and city to hear

together to make something happen.

division by merging its school systems

what was needed,” Shaw said. “I can

There wasn’t one champion out there

also tasked the newly created district

proudly say the school, as it stands

— it was everyone coming together

and university with working together

now, was not on anybody’s mind

in the best interest of the children in

on a campus that would serve as a

when we started to process it, and

the entire county,” he said. “From the

model for rural education.

it truly came out of a very open and

parents and teachers to the university

School Focus

16

Winter 2021

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f

Ashley Allen, a seventh grade science teacher at PMS, poses in her classroom.

and its staff, everyone worked together

early childhood programs and taking

to study as they progress through

to find the best way forward. I could

deliberate, systematic approaches

school; how to manage their emotions

not be prouder of the way we did it.

to improving literacy rates by com-

as they interact with their peers and

“There were strong opinions, and

pletion of third grade to redesigning

teachers; and how to work both indi-

we went through a lot of hard dis-

the school accountability model and

vidually and collaboratively to accom-

cussions and work to get here; how-

placing a new emphasis on advanced

plish all of those things.

ever, everyone’s heart was in the right

placement and dual-credit courses.

place,” Shaw added. “They all wanted to do the right thing.”

Formative Years While landmark legislation that would forever change the course of education in Oktibbeha County emerged in 2013, that same year was also transformative for the MDE.

“I think the partnership school

Since then, MDE officials have spent

supports all of those,” he added. “The

a considerable amount of effort and

design of the school allows for col-

resources prioritizing middle school

laborative approaches and social and

outcomes and student growth, and

emotional development. The classes

Oakley said PMS will prime pupils

the students take there, the access

for a lifetime of learning by enhanc-

they receive from physically being on

ing their social and emotional skills

a major institution of higher learning

through rigorous academic offerings.

and the foundation they get in those middle school grades will set them on

The department entered a time

“The middle school initiative is

of reorganization after welcom-

really all about encouraging a sense

ing Dr. Carey Wright to her post as

of self-advocacy for kids,” he said.

the state superintendent of educa-

“We really want them to be in touch

tion. Internally, numerous changes

with what their goals and dreams are

were made to important elementary

and how they translate academically;

Engaging students in middle school

and secondary areas, from provid-

what they want to be two, five and 10

— answering “Why?” at all possible

ing students access to high-quality

years down the road; what they want

times, specifically — is the key to

Winter 2021

17

a trajectory for success. These experiences may lay the groundwork to careers or higher education previously not considered.”

School Focus

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feature

A bulletin board encouraging critical thinking and reasoning in a PMS science room is pictured.

Photo by Megan Bean, MSU Office of Public Affairs

launching the personal exploration needed to keep children focused in these important grades and beyond, said Dr. Eddie Peasant, who took over as SOCSD superintendent shortly after ground broke on the school.

“If they don’t see what their 'Why? is, then we stand a great chance of los-

saw how families quickly embraced

Excitement Now and for the Future

this unique opportunity.

Kim Smith is one of the few

“I was always excited about this

Oktibbeha County residents whose

project because I knew what opportu-

current life almost completely

nities it could bring,” Smith said. “Every

revolves around the new school.

school in this town already enjoyed a good relationship [with MSU], but this

As an elementary education instructor

focused

on

middle

takes it to a new level.

“As a parent, I want everyone to

ing them,” he said. “I want this school

grades for the MSU Department of

to introduce our students to under-

Curriculum, Instruction and Special

standing what their own personal

Education, all but one of her fall

‘Why?’ is, what they’re interested in,

semester classes involved students

what they’re good at — even what

observing live teaching at the new

they’re not good at — and allow us to

campus; as the mother of a sixth

shape their education in a way that

someone who prepares future teach-

grader at PMS, she saw firsthand the

ers, I want people know how excited

allows them to explore those oppor-

educational outcomes of this new

we are for it to help us produce bet-

tunities on a bigger stage. This is the

hybrid learning environment; and

ter-prepared teachers for the entire

time we get them on the track to the

as the leader of the school’s par-

state, and that’s going to make us all

right avenues of learning.”

ent-teacher organization, she also

better. We can explain to them all day

School Focus

18

know there’s a whole lot of excitement here from us and from the kids.

For kids to be excited about learning and participating in all these new programs, that’s huge,” she added. “As

Winter 2021

feature

f

long the best practices and theory; we

be addressed at that adolescent age

across the state. That’s an exciting

can even demonstrate it — and we do

to make a difference and keep them

prospect, and it’s definitely a situation

— to them, but it doesn’t mean any-

focused and successful. Right now,

thing until they see it for themselves

we can reduce the dropout risk for

in the classroom.”

students with positive middle school

“The way we change the state of

That live look inside classrooms,

experiences and fuel their desire to

Mississippi is through education,

Peasant said, fundamentally changes

complete their education. Knowing

a teacher’s first-day perspective as a

we’re expecting children to do things

professional, and having cohorts of

different [at PMS] means we have to

better-prepared middle school teach-

get them ready for that experience,

to teach once they graduate,” Shaw

ers could even change how the school

and that experience also opens doors

said. “Everyone looks at this as the

district prepares students as they tran-

for them in high school they might not

Partnership School benefiting the

sition to and from those key grades.

have access to before.

we’re happy to be part of.”

and the way we change education is by putting out people that are ready

school district, but we, from the uni-

“We’re very fortunate to have this

“For our teachers, [the MSU partner-

versity’s standpoint, know we’re a

opportunity to enhance the work we’re

ship] is about growth for them, too,”

greater beneficiary. It’s fantastic to see

doing for middle schoolers, and there

Peasant added. “They’re going to get

needs to be sufficient training because

knowledge and training from univer-

that age group is so different than [ele-

sity faculty, of course, but they’re also

mentary and high school groups],” he

going to be mentors for future teach-

college students learning firsthand

said. “There are things that have to

ers heading to our district and others

what it’s like to be a teacher.”

sixth and seventh graders there every day, but it warms my heart when I see

MDE Announces New Teacher Advisory Council Members The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced the addition of more than 100 experienced and highly regarded professionals from across the state to serve on the Mississippi Teacher Advisory Council (MTAC) during the 2020-2021 academic year.

The MTAC, formed in 2016, now has more than 300 educators representing schools in urban and rural settings and an array of content areas, including general education, arts, special education and career and technical education.

The purpose of the MTAC is to provide feedback to Dr. Carey Wright, the state

Highlighted counties indicate areas rep-

superintendent of education, on the initiatives of the MDE, the Mississippi State

resented by the teachers added to the

Board of Education and the Mississippi State Legislature. Wright meets with teach-

Mississippi Teacher Advisory Council

ers regularly. The MTAC aims to empower teachers to discuss topics critical to their

during the 2020-2021 academic year.

success in the classroom and how the MDE can assist.

“Over the last four years, I have greatly valued the feedback from teachers across this state through our meetings.

The MDE has provided professional development opportunities, resources and changes in policy based in part on conversations I’ve had with members of the MTAC,” Wright said. “I look forward to hearing from our new members as we work collaboratively on behalf of students.”

Winter 2021

19

School Focus

s

Teacher

spotlight

OF THE YEAR

Austin Forges Personal, Global Connections With Students Amanda Gronewold

T

he Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) selected Petal High School (PHS)

freshman and sophomore social stud-

ies teacher Ben Austin as the state’s Teacher of the Year for 2020.

Austin, who was nominated for the statewide award after he was named PHS Teacher of the Year by his fellow educators, said having a positive impact on students’ lives is one of the most important aspects of his job.

“The most rewarding thing about teaching is relationships with students — the opportunity that I have to make a difference,” he said.

PHS Principal Rob Knight vouched for Austin’s passion for connecting with his students and said, “That’s what he does the best.”

Ben Austin, a freshman and sophomore social studies teacher at Petal High School, was selected as the state's Teacher of the Year for 2020 by the Mississippi Department of Education. perspective with his students from the

inviting guest speakers and showing

moment they walk in his classroom.

letters from area soldiers.

“I let them know that we’re not

Dr. Carey Wright, Mississippi’s

just in Mr. Austin’s classroom. It’s not

superintendent of education, con-

just Room 113 — you’re walking into

gratulated Austin for his award and

a global classroom,” he said. “We take

the other finalists for their impact on

virtual tours. Say we’re talking about

students.

“He makes you feel better about

Tsar Nicholas the Second — we take

yourself when you are around him,”

“I join with their school communi-

a tour of the Winter Palace in Russia.”

ties in congratulating them on their

Austin, who is currently in his

achievements,” she said. “All of the

fifth year of teaching, also provides

finalists showed outstanding leader-

Knight said. “That is why our students and staff love him so much. He takes a genuine interest in each person.”

hands-on, global experiences by bring-

ship and dedication throughout their

Austin grew up overseas, graduat-

ing relics, such as pieces of the Berlin

careers, and the students benefit

ing from high school in Lima, Peru,

Wall, to class. He also connects his

greatly from having these profession-

and prioritizes sharing his global

classroom to the local community by

als working on their behalf.”

School Focus

20

Winter 2021

spotlight

s

Austin (standing) instructs his 10th grade World History class during the fall semester. Pictured are students (from left to right) Amari Butler, Cincere Clems and Lleyton Coleman The annual Mississippi Teacher of the Year program awards the winner a $5,000 stipend and encourages the recipient to share expertise through various presentations and activities.

Austin said he plans to use the stipend

educational leadership from William

them know that they can make a dif-

Carey University.

ference — that they have the power to

Austin said he hopes to inspire his fellow teachers, especially through the challenges presented by COVID-19.

to aid him in furthering his education

“I want to … rekindle the fire and

by pursuing a specialist degree in

the flame of every teacher, to help

change lives,” he said. “They still have a goal in mind, and 2020 shouldn’t hinder that. It should challenge us to become better teachers.”

msachieves.mdek12.org @MissDeptEd Facebook.com/MissDeptEd Winter 2021

21

School Focus

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feature

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL

Aubrey Jones practices a relaxation exercise at Natchez-Adams School District's (NASD's) Gilmer McLaurin Elementary (GME) before the pandemic.

Learning STANDARDS

Formalizing ‘That Special Something’ for Mississippi’s Teachers, Classrooms Heather Craig

T

he Mississippi Department

highlighting the need for formal SEL

In its push for developing the

of Education (MDE) imple-

tools. What was originally a plan for

standards quickly, the MDE had out-

mented the state’s first

the near future became a cemented

side help. The plan is a joint effort

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

reality when educators realized the

between the MDE; the Collaborative

Standards in January to address the

effects of the pandemic caused high

for Academic, Social and Emotional

needs of pre-K and K-12 students in

levels of stress and uncertainty for

Learning (CASEL); and Realizing

classrooms across the state, includ-

students of all grade levels.

ing self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills

“When COVID-19 hit and we saw

Excellence for ALL Children in Mississippi (REACH MS). CASEL is the

that there was going to be a sub-

organization that helped defined SEL

stantial need for these standards, we

more than two decades ago. REACH

The standards were already in

absolutely sped up our design and

MS is a sub-grantee of the MDE’s spe-

the planning and defining phase

implementation,” said Ginger Koestler,

cial education department that part-

when the global pandemic led to the

the MDE’s behavioral intervention

ners on much of the department’s

shift to online and hybrid learning,

specialist.

behavioral intervention work, making

and decision-making skills.

School Focus

22

Winter 2021

feature

f

Clockwise from upper left: •

Then-Natchez Early College Academy sophomore Tiana Thomas attends the third-annual youth summit on peer pressure and bullying in 2019.

•

Kristen Sibley counts cereal during a 100 days of school celebration at GME before the pandemic.

•

Michaela Mitchell and Chloe Mims participate in a job fair at NASD's Joseph Frazier Elementary in 2019.

it well-suited to assist with developing

Koestler relied on one group of spe-

As far as the new standards’ effect

the SEL standards.

cialists to serve as the glue that held

on teachers’ classrooms this year are

the SEL standards together at every

concerned, that will depend on the

developmental stage. Due to its vast

individual teacher.

MDE project managers also found themselves looking to a wide range of specialists within their own office in developing the new standards.

“This was a huge group effort. We pulled in our special education department, office of elementary and reading, our counselors and our secondary education specialists,” Koestler said.

“We could not have done it without them. They did a lot of the heavy lifting on this project.”

With the standards covering every year of students’ K-12 education, Winter 2021

experience in SEL, the early childhood department stepped into the role of helping all the standards work together fluidly.

“They had social emotional stan-

Despite perhaps not giving a formal name to their own SEL efforts, most teachers already engage in SEL in their classrooms daily.

dards built into those pre-K stan-

“Teaching expectations, responsi-

dards, so we brought them in to make

bility and consequences for actions —

sure the standards mesh,” Koestler

in the same way that teaching those

said. “Because of the pre-K depart-

things at home is good parenting —

ment’s experience, the standards use

good teachers already teach these

the same language, all the way from

things on a day-to-day basis,” said Dr.

pre-K to K-12. We really thought that

Nathan Oakley, the MDE’s chief aca-

was key.”

demic officer.

23

School Focus

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feature

Top Right: Penny Tumminello, a counselor at Madison County School District's Highland Elementary School (HES, shares a lesson with fourth graders on effective communication styles. This academic year, students acted out passive, aggressive and assertive stances and discussed what kind of communication is most productive and works best.

Bottom left, right: Laura Rowland, a fifth grade science and social studies teacher at HES, livestreams the school’s Mississippi Flag ceremony for her online learners.

“We expect a lot from our teachers,”

positive classroom environments were

Koestler said she tells people with

Koestler added, “but I don’t want them

already doing this. This is just putting

questions about SEL to “look back to

to think this is ‘just another thing.’”

the ideas on paper so that educators

the teacher that made a difference

can evolve the good work they are

in your life — that teacher who had

What Koestler mainly wants Mississippi teachers to know is that

already doing.”

‘it,’ who made you feel welcome, who

they will now have SEL resources, tools

Both Oakley and Koestler agreed

made you feel excited about learning

and support when they look to the for-

everyone, regardless of background,

even when you weren’t doing well, and

malized standards.

can recognize SEL based on their own

when you made a mistake, who knew

“For teachers, there’s so much going

learning experiences.

to build you up.”

on that a lot of times they don’t know

“We all had a teacher who stood out

what resources are out there,” she said.

to us and supported us more than oth-

“Beyond that, when teachers really

ers," Oakley said. "That was a teacher

that teacher than anybody else —

look at the performance standards

that had good SEL practices, even if

that’s the environment, the good learn-

alongside the tasks, they will see that

they were teaching before SEL was

ing space we’re looking to create for all

most solid teachers who have created

defined. It was just good teaching.”

students. That’s SEL,” she said.

School Focus

24

“You probably learned more from

Winter 2021

Science Teachers Earn Presidential Awards for Excellence Two Mississippi science teachers are among the nation’s best as awardees of the 2020 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

The PAEMST program is the nation’s highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science).

A panel of distinguished mathematicians, scientists and educators at the state level evaluate all submitted portfolios before making nominations to the national selection committee. National winners are then selected after a rigorous review process based on, but not limited to, evidence of their instructional practices, professional development outreach and impact, and dedication to improving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education within their community and state.

The Mississippi awardees are Dr. Shani Bourn, a grades 7-12 teacher at Hancock High School (Hancock County School District), and LeShundra Young, a grades 7-12 teacher at Germantown High School (Madison County School District).

Bourn and Young serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of science education.

“It is wonderful to have such incredible teachers in our classrooms. To earn national distinction for their excellence in teaching is worthy of honor and I congratulate them on their awards,” said Dr. Carey Wright, the Mississippi state superintendent of education.

Dr. Shani Bourn (top) and

With more than 25 years as a teacher, Bourn said her goal “is to provide all

LeShundra Young

students with as many opportunities as possible for growth while fostering an appreciation and excitement for science.”

Young, who has been an educator for a decade, teaches biology, chemistry and AP Biology. She said, “The art of teaching is to ignite the imagination, inspire creative expression and instill a love of learning.”

The PAEMST program, established in 1983 by the White House, allows each state to select up to five state finalists in mathematics and up to five state finalists in science. One of the state finalists in each content area will be selected as the Presidential Awardee for the state, which is the highest recognition that a K-12 mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the U.S. Awardees are selected from schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. Nominations and awards are facilitated by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation.

Winter 2021

25

School Focus

s

spotlight

Parent OF THE YEAR

McCusker Promotes Cohesion in Parent Group Amanda Gronewold

L

isa McCusker, the outgoing

band: A new band direc-

president of the Gautier High

tor was hired, and a new

School (GHS) Band Parent

parent leadership team

Association (BPA) and a mother of two

was formed. Building trust

children in the Pascagoula-Gautier

between band parents/

School District, is the 2020 Mississippi

guardians, directors and

Parent of the Year.

the school, she said, was

McCusker was nominated by the school district for her work on sev-

among the first large-scale challenges the group faced.

eral projects that will make long-last-

The first step to meeting

ing impacts. Specifically, her work

those challenges, she said,

with the GHS BPA was noted, as she

was listening.

helped establish the inaugural Swamp Classic, the first marching band competition hosted in the Gautier area.

“It took a lot of humility to listen to parents’ issues from before and why they

Dr. Carey Wright, Mississippi’s state

weren’t interested in help-

superintendent of education, praised

ing,” McCusker said. “So, it

McCusker for her hard work and said

was a lot of listening in the

she “represents the hundreds of par-

beginning, and then it was

ents who volunteer in schools across

just small steps of faith.”

the state, supporting teachers, lead-

Lisa McCusker (center) poses with sons Michael McCusker (left) and Aidan McCusker. Michael is a graduate of Gautier High School (GHS) and the GHS band, and Aidan is a junior at the school.

Those steps included

ers and students as they work toward

demonstrating follow-through and

nights, shifting from a few adults

success.”

dependability with her fellow par-

doing the work of many to a larger

ents and shifting their perspectives of

group that more evenly distributed

what volunteering for the band means

the load.

“I am grateful for their dedication and hard work in making Mississippi’s schools the best they can be,” Wright

— actions beyond the obvious roles of helping with uniforms or working

The changes were “key in helping

the concession stand during football

them to understand that those 10 vol-

McCusker joined the parent group

games. She also enacted addition-

unteers you see serving the nachos;

during a time of transition for the

al-yet-shorter work shifts for game

they’re counted in and among another

said.

School Focus

26

Winter 2021

spotlight

s

Clockwise from top: •

GHS Band Parent Association (BPA) members pose while volunteering at the concession stand during a GHS football game. Under McCusker’s (front, second from right) leadership, the group restructured the concession volunteer schedule to distribute the workload more evenly, which led to increased parent participation.

•

GHS BPA members are pictured at the Mississippi High School Activities Association Marching Band Evaluations in Gulfport.

Pictured (front, left to right) are Jami Ros and Laura Hubbard.

Pictured (back, left to right) are Kay C Jamison, Rachel Finnie, McCusker, Brandi Tisbury and Linnette Sanchez.

•

McCusker displays the 20192020 Parent of the Year Award presented to her by the Pascagoula-Gautier School District. She was later named 2020’s Parent of the Year by the Mississippi Department of Education.

30 who planned the menu, got the

“There’s nothing better than seeing

"She is the embodiment of the type

supplies, met the Coke guy, unloaded

the look on their faces, hearing the

of parent that any teacher would want

— those types of things,” McCusker

cheers and even seeing their tears,”

in their corner,” he said.

said, and helped establish trust and

she said. “They get so excited.”

cohesion with adult volunteers.

McCusker said she was rewarded for her efforts when she saw the band

Brandon Wilson, who served as the director of bands during McCusker’s

Although McCusker plans to transition out of the parent group this semester, her impact will be felt by current and future members of the

students’ excitement when they

leadership of the GHS BPA, described

GHS BPA. She said the group’s focus

achieved their goals. She reminisced

her as an invaluable asset, saying she

on communicating their successes

fondly of the times the band received

was instrumental in improving parent

will secure these future generations

high marks at marching competitions.

and student culture for the team.

of volunteers.

Winter 2021

27

School Focus

Instruction

f feature

High-Quality

Initiative Closing Student Gaps Through Better Materials Brock Turnipseed.

T

he Mississippi Department

outcomes and offer equitable access

of Education (MDE) recently

for all of the state’s students.

The gateways started with standards alignment and progressed

partnered with seven other

With the HQIM definition and goals

to building knowledge followed by

states in the Council of Chief State

in place, the group collaborated with

usability. Priority indicators were

School Officers Instructional Materials

Student Achievement Partners, a non-

included in each gateway, including

and Professional Development

profit group dedicated to improving lit-

a set of Mississippi-specific criteria

Network to develop a high-quality

eracy and mathematics achievements

under the first gateway.

instructional materials (HQIM) initia-

in K-12 students, and EdReports,

tive that aligns to Mississippi’s College-

another nonprofit that works with

and Career-Readiness Standards and

educators to identify HQIM, to develop

we wanted to ensure English language

will help the state continue producing

a rubric that progresses sequentially

arts materials provide all students

tremendous gains in education.

through three gateways aligned to

access to complex texts and build

meet the content standards and other

and expand upon on their knowledge

indicators of high-quality curriculum

of the world,” said Kristen Wynn, the

as recommended by educators.

MDE’s state literacy director.

“We recognized that this is our next big push for providing equitable access

“As we worked to develop the rubric,

to materials for all children across the state,” said Dr. Tenette Smith, executive director of the MDE Office of Elementary Education and Reading.

Smith and other MDE leadership met with Dr. David Steiner, the executive director of the Institute for Education Policy and a professor of education at Johns Hopkins University, and Rebecca Kockler, the former assistant superintendent of academic content at the Louisiana Department of Education, to begin

Packaged textbooks are pictured in a warehouse of The School Book Supply Company

crafting Mississippi’s HQIM definition

of Mississippi. The company has played an important part in the MDE’s high-quality

and developing a plan to increase

instructional materials review process, efficiently delivering the submitted materials to

teacher capacity, improve student

the review team members at their homes or their schools.

School Focus

28

Winter 2021

feature

The new rubric was a significant

Math and social studies review and

change from the state’s previous text-

pilot phases took place during the

book adoption process that required

2019-2020 school year and were avail-

materials to meet 80% of a standards

able for adoption in fall 2020. The ELA

checklist, so MDE officials decided to

rubric was also developed in the fall

do something not previously done:

and implemented this year.

f

sense of urgency to provide all students with HQIM. “We know that the learning needs of our students are greater due to the pandemic, but instead of seeing this as a challenge, we have an opportu-

train textbook publishers on the

Providing teachers, students and

nity to ensure all students have access

state’s new expectations for curricu-

parents increased access to the mate-

to high-quality materials,” Wynn said.

lum materials.

rials, resources and support tools

“The pandemic has revealed new

From left: Marla Davis, MDE state director of curriculum and instruction (K-12) and middle school program initiatives; Dr. Tenette Smith, MDE Office of Elementary Education and Reading executive director; Kristen Wynn, MDE state literacy director

"Teachers are trailblazers, and despite the circumstances, they continue to fight the good fight. High-quality materials reduce the stress of teachers being solely responsible for creating instructional materials for students."

- Kristen Wynn, MDE state literacy director

“We spent an entire day training

was vital to the new initiative’s suc-

layers of instructional inequities.

vendors on the new HQIM rubrics and

cess and is why the MDE collaborated

Teachers are trailblazers, and despite

answering all the questions they could

with Mississippi First to launch the

the circumstances, they continue

possibly have as it relates to what is

Mississippi Instructional Materials

to fight the good fight. High-quality

required to get on the state textbook

Matter website (msinstructionalmate-

materials reduce the stress of teachers

adoption list,” said Dr. Marla Davis, the

rials.org), a central place for districts

being solely responsible for creating

to review the HQIM materials, evalu-

instructional materials for students.”

MDE’s state director of curriculum and instruction (K-12) and middle school program initiatives. “We didn’t want this process, as new and rigorous as it was, to be a ‘gotcha.’ It was really important for them to know what the new process was and to be prepared for it.”

ate their current materials and find tools they can use to provide training for standards-aligned materials.

“For students, teachers and parents, the site gives them a better understanding of the importance of having high-quality curriculum materials

The pandemic added another challenge to this multi-year process, but MDE administrators have confidence that Mississippi’s students and teachers will reach a bar set even higher than before.

that are not only standards-aligned,

“You set high standards and expec-

The submitted materials were vet-

but also help support the teaching and

tations, teachers and students will

ted by a review team comprised of

learning process inside and outside of

meet those expectations,” Smith said.

Mississippi educators, and the state

the classroom,” Davis said.

“If we set the bar high, then we are

adopted those that met all three gate-

The COVID-19 pandemic struck

preparing our students to be lifelong

ways and documented the evaluations

as schools started to purchase math

learners that are ready for a college or

of materials in evidence guides.

materials, and it reinforced a greater

career path.”

Winter 2021

29

School Focus

f feature

TEACHING

Tech

MDE Deploys Groundbreaking Computer Science Curricula Will Graves

T

Science

Information and Communication

for Mississippi (CS4MS)

Technology (ICT) I and Technology

Initiative is now reaching

Foundations.

he

Computer

younger pupils through new middle school curricula that will equip all students with important comput-

ing and technology skills essential in today’s workforce and for tomorrow’s economy.

Continued technological advancements require students have a strong foundation of basic technology and computing skills if they are to grow as critical thinkers and adapt to changes in society and the workplace. CF I is

The rollout of these new curricula

designed to teach these foundational

Shelly Hollis, Mississippi State

marks a milestone for computer sci-

skills to students in grade 6 or higher

University Center for Cyber

ence education, as Mississippi is one of

while expounding on fundamental

Education Assistant Director

the first states in the nation to imple-

computing concepts — problem-solv-

ment computer science content at the

ing and coding, for example — and

middle school level.

other topics including digital citizen-

School districts across the state began a two-phase transition to the

ship, technology applications and career exploration.

CF II replaces ICT II. With this change, students in grade 7 or higher will utilize skills learned from CF I and build

new curricula this academic year.

Districts will continue with the

upon that knowledge by exploring new

In the fall, Cyber Foundations (CF) I

second phase of the curricula transi-

content in areas such as databases,

replaced the previously offered

tion in the 2021-2022 school year, as

graphic design, mobile application

"... There wasn’t a lot happening in the middle school space. When we started looking at this and pulling everything together, we were one of the first in the country to start putting together middle school computer science curricula.”

- Shelly Hollis, Mississippi State University Center for Cyber Education Assistant Director

School Focus

30

Winter 2021

feature

f

Center Hill Middle School (DeSoto County Schools) Cyber Foundations I teachers Ashley Hileman (front) and Alecia Reese work on developing distance-learning plans for their students in the fall to make sure their learners have normalcy, consistency and security in their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing a continuation of stable daily learning agendas and a means to connect virtually.

development and microcontroller

which plagues students and districts

science content of the curricula, which

programming.

throughout Mississippi,” said Dr.

was initiated by the Mississippi State

Both classes will be available to

Louella Mack-Webster, the Mississippi

University (MSU) Center for Cyber

middle and high school students

Department of Education’s (MDE’s)

Education (CCE).

depending on how school districts

STEM program supervisor. “Through

implement the new curricula; how-

coding, Web development, marketing

Throughout the pilot period, par-

ever, beginning computer science edu-

and various other industry opportu-

ticipating schools provided valuable

cation at the middle school level will

nities, socio-economically disadvan-

feedback to the curriculum writing

allow students to begin learning about

taged students are afforded oppor-

team. The team used the feedback

technology and computer science at a

tunities to explore computer science

from these first-hand classroom expe-

younger age as well as provide more

programs early in their educational

riences to further refine and improve

equitable access to a variety of STEM

trajectory.”

the content to meet the needs of all students in the state. After reviewing

learning opportunities, which the

The addition of the new middle

CS4MS Initiative has found to be cru-

school curricula comes at the cul-

all suggestions and considerations, the

cial in the improvement of computer

mination of the initial CS4MS pilot

writing team prepared and submitted

and technology literacy.

program that began in 2016. The pilot

the final curricula to the state board of

“CS4MS will be transformational

period allowed schools across the state

education, which approved the curric-

in confronting computer illiteracy,

to opt into and sample the computer

ula last spring.

Winter 2021

31

School Focus

f feature

Lafayette High School (Lafayette County School District) freshmen computer science students Ethan White (left) and Andrew Jordan collaborate in the computer lab during the fall semester.

“At the time when we first started

and Licensure and Development, with

technological advances in society by

the CS4MS Initiative in 2016, we were

consent of the Mississippi State Board

becoming innovative thinkers.

purposeful in choosing the elementary

of Education, approved a new educa-

and high school levels because there

tor license endorsement — the 933

was much more material to choose

Computer Science Endorsement —

from,” said MSU CCE Assistant Director

required for teaching the new middle

Shelly Hollis. “People were doing a lot

school computer science content.

“Providing employability skills is essential to workforce development,” Mack-Webster said. “The new computer science curricula will train students via preparatory fostering of

in those two areas, but there wasn’t

As students are introduced to fun-

a lot happening in the middle school

damental computer science concepts,

space. When we started looking at this

teachers and administrators hope

and pulling everything together, we

they develop valuable critical think-

were one of the first in the country to

ing skills that will carry on throughout

CTE instructors and students enrolled

start putting together middle school

their educational journey and enhance

in computer science courses have a

computer science curricula.”

employability as adults when they join

unique opportunity to learn and apply

To ensure educators are best

the workforce. By providing access to

innovative computer technology skills

prepared for these changes, the

these learning opportunities, students

in a global community. The new cur-

MDE Commission on Teacher and

today will be even more prepared to

ricula are a welcome addition to our

Administrator Education, Certification

take on the challenge of adapting to

current CTE STEM programs.”

School Focus

32

perceptions, technology application, problem solving, CTE and industry and business opportunities. Mississippi’s

Winter 2021

Mississippi Leads the South in College Persistence

SREB report highlights for Mississippi

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) praised

Mississippi is the only state in the region in

Mississippi for its achievements in education from early childhood

which the first-year persistence rate of first-

through college in its 2020 report on the progress of education in

time, full-time students at public, four-year

the South.

colleges and universities increased from 2012

"Mississippi: A Turning Point" details where the state stands in

to 2017, indicating that more first-time, full-

education, highlighting how the effective implementation of edu-

time college students returned to college for

cation policy has improved student achievement statewide and

a second year.

made Mississippi the leader in the South for college persistence.

“The 2020 SREB report shows how Mississippi’s research-based education policies are improving student achievement from pre-K

The high school graduation rate outpaced the region in growth.

through college,” said Dr. Carey Wright, the state superintendent of

The average state Pell Grant award exceeded

education. “I am incredibly proud of all the hardworking students,

the national average and was the region’s

educators and school leaders who have made Mississippi a national

highest average award.

leader for advancing public education.”

The SREB works to improve public education through proven

Fourth graders outpaced the region and

policy and practice in 16 Southern states, including Alabama,

nation in gains in reading and math achieve-

Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,

ment at both the Basic and Proficient levels

Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina,

on the National Assessment of Educational

Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

Progress (NAEP). For the first time, fourth

The SREB’s annual state progress reports evaluate how well states are educating students and preparing them for the workforce. The 2020 report detailed challenges to SREB states’ efforts to

graders in the state outperformed the nation in reading and math achievement on the NAEP at the Basic level or above.

increase the educational attainment of working-age adults in the

Eighth graders outpaced the region and

South, including the large number who lack the credentials they

nation in gains in reading and math achieve-

need for success in the workplace.

ment at the Basic and Proficient levels on the

According to the SREB, rapid advancements in automation and

NAEP.

artificial intelligence may increasingly displace adults with low levels of education, transforming some positions while eliminat-

The freshman enrollment increase shrank,

ing others. Most new jobs — especially ones that pay well — will

indicating that more eighth graders are pre-

require education beyond high school. The SREB estimates that

pared to make transitions to ninth and then

by 2030, 18 million workers and their children in the South will be

10th grade.

unemployable or stuck in low-wage jobs and in a perpetual cycle of poverty.

The Early Learning Collaboratives meet all 10 quality standards for pre-K, according to the

The reports urge states to take aggressive action to prepare stu-

National Institute of Early Education Research

dents and adults for the higher-skilled positions of the future so

(NIEER). Mississippi is one of only four states

they can remain employed, earn higher incomes and support the

that meet all NIEER quality standards.

educational progress of future generations.

Winter 2021

33

School Focus

Quality Counts: State Shows Great Improvement For the third consecutive year, Mississippi earned national recognition for its progress in education, climbing to be among the top five states or jurisdictions with the greatest improvement, according to the latest Quality Counts report published in Education Week.

Mississippi ranked second among states with the most improved standings, excluding the jurisdiction of Washington, D.C. The report examines achievement in school systems from pre-K through grade 12 and socioeconomic factors leading to success in adulthood.

Mississippi earned an overall grade of C- (70.5 out of 100 points), inching closer to the national average. The nation’s overall grade was a C (72.8 out of 100 points).

“This is validation that, over time, we can change the trajectory of public education in Mississippi and raise expectations for what our students can do.”

- Dr. Carey Wright, State Superintendent of Education

Mississippi, Washington, D.C., South Dakota and Louisiana all saw their overall scores improve. The Quality Counts report is released in three phases based on indicators for opportunities for success, school funding and achievement. In 2020, Mississippi was recognized for gaining 6.2 points in the Chance-for-Success Index, improving its grade from a D+ in 2008 to a C in 2020. The report stated key advances in family income, parental education levels, parental employment, fourth grade reading and eighth grade math contributed to the state’s success.

Mississippi also made the most progress in the nation on the K-12 Achievement Index from 2019 to 2020. Its score jumped by 5.2 points during that time, fueled by increases in the percentage of fourth grade students proficient in math and reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

“This is outstanding national recognition for our teach-

Quality Counts: Most Improved

ers and leaders in the state. We have challenged students to meet higher standards of learning, and they are succeeding,” said Dr. Carey Wright, the state superintendent of education. “This is validation that, over time, we can change the trajectory of public education in Mississippi and raise expectations for what our students can do.”

STATE

SCORE/ GRADE

CHANGE 2018-2019

District of Columbia

77.8 C+

i 2.8

Mississippi

70.5 C-

i 2.1

Louisiana

69.9 C-

i 2.0

Nevada

68.6 D+

i 1.7

South Dakota

74.2 C

i 1.6

In 2019, Mississippi achieved the No. 1 spot in the nation for gains on the NAEP, known as the nation’s report card. The NAEP measures student proficiency in fourth and eighth grade reading and mathematics, and Mississippi was the only state in the nation to show significant increases in three of the four NAEP subjects.

Washington, D.C., was the only jurisdiction to show gains in three of four subjects.

School Focus

34

Winter 2021

SBE Opens Public Comment on ACT WorkKeys, Career Preparation Indicator The Mississippi State Board of Education took public

“Mississippi's career and technical education programs help students increase academic achievement through relevant handson instruction and help them acquire marketable skills.”

comments this winter on the addition of the ACT WorkKeys assessment and a recognized career pathway or industry certification to the accountability measure evaluating how schools and districts prepare students for college and the workforce.

- Dr. Carey Wright, State Superintendent of Education

ACT WorkKeys, a national assessment that measures foundational skills required for success in the workplace,

would be included in the college and career readiness indicator in the state’s accountability system that assigns letter grades to schools and districts. Previously, student performance at the national benchmarks in math and reading or English on the ACT was the sole indicator of college and career readiness. The additional career preparation measure would recognize students who score at the Gold or Platinum performance level on ACT WorkKeys or who score at the Silver level and earn an industry certification in a technical field or complete a career pathway in high school.

“Mississippi’s career and technical education programs help students increase academic achievement through relevant hands-on instruction and help them acquire marketable skills,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “Achieving the Gold performance level on the ACT WorkKeys or combining a Silver performance level with a career pathway or industry certification are strong indicators students will graduate prepared for a career."

The Accountability Task Force (ATF) began looking at the inclusion of ACT WorkKeys in the accountability system in 2020. Although it considered many options, the ATF recommended adding ACT Work Keys as an alternative to ACT at the Silver level with no requirement for completion of a career pathway or industry certification.

The Commission on School Accreditation in December approved unanimously a proposal from the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) to require a WorkKeys Silver level student performance and completion of an industry certification or pathway to ensure comparable rigor between ACT and ACT WorkKeys in the accountability model.

The proposal was based on feedback from the ATF, discussion within the MDE and in consultation with the Center for Assessment and the MDE’s Technical Advisory Committee.

WEBINAR WEDNESDAYS whenever!

The Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit proudly offers a collection of short online video tutorials to help teachers and administrators promote their programs.

•

Video production

•

Digital etiquette

•

College admissions

•

Letters of recommendation

•

Social media

•

Media outreach

•

Graphics and photos

•

Newsletters

View these webinars & more at www.rcu.msstate.edu/webinar

Winter 2021

35

School Focus

Laura Rowland, a fifth grade science and social studies teacher at Madison County School District's Highland Elementary School, livestreams the school’s Mississippi Flag ceremony for online learners in January.

Social Emotional Learning Standards: Formalizing 'That Special Something'.....p. 22

The Mississippi Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability in the provision of educational programs and services or employment opportunities and benefits.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries and complaints regarding the nondiscrimination policies of the Mississippi Department of Education: Director, Office of Human Resources, Mississippi Department of Education, 359 North West Street, Suite 203, Jackson, Mississippi 39201. 601.359.3511 Produced by the Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit