f feature
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
School Focus
6
Winter 2021
