Digital Instructional Materials Acquisition Policies for States
Overview
This current tab provides information and links related to digital learning plans and standards, the adoption of computer science standards and state definitions for personalized learning. Visit the Instructional Materials, Procurement and Professional Learning Tabs for more information on this state.
DIGITAL LEARNING PLANS & STANDARDS
State Personalized Learning Definition
Mississippi does not have a unique state definition for personalized learning.
Request At A Glance data set for all states
Overview
Mississippi solicits bids from publishers for titles to be reviewed and subsequently recommended to the State Board of Education. Approved vendors enter into a no-cost contract that allows for uniform costs across districts. The state does not specify a certain amount of funding that must be used by districts to purchase instructional materials. Districts typically use state or local funds to purchase textbooks (print or digital). To provide the highest quality of instructional materials to implement the curriculum frameworks for the schools across the state of Mississippi, the MDE has established a plan for the adoption, purchase, distribution, care and use of textbooks for students in all public schools that is an 18 month process. School districts are not required to purchase textbooks from the adopted list, they must choose materials that align to the standards.
Definitions
Definition for Instructional Materials
Mississippi has a definition for instructional materials/textbook.
Materials that are aligned with the Mississippi College- and Career- Readiness Standards, externally validated, comprehensive, and include engaging texts (books, multimedia, etc.), problems, and assessments. HQIM can be used to identify students’ areas of strength and opportunities for growth, which are sequentially mapped and designed to prepare students to graduate ready for college and the workforce, educative for teachers, and accessible to student with differentiated needs. In Mississippi a textbook is defined as “any medium or manual of instruction which contains a systematic presentation of the principles of a subject and which constitutes a major instructional vehicle for that subject.” (Mississippi Code Annotated Section 37-43-1).
Includes
Digital
Definition for Open Educational Resources
Mississippi does not have a definition for open educational resources.
Definition for Accessible Educational Materials
Mississippi does not have a definition for accessible educational materials.
Definition for Accessible Technologies
Mississippi does not have a definition for accessible technologies.
Guidelines and Policies
State Statute - Instructional Materials Adoption
Mississippi has a statute for the adoption of instructional materials.
The State Board of Education shall adopt and furnish textbooks only for use in those courses set up in the state course of study as recommended by the State Accreditation Commission and adopted by such board, or courses established by acts of the Legislature. State Textbook Law (Section 37-43-19 c, Mississippi Codes of 1972 Annotated)
Materials Adoption Includes
Software
Digital Materials
Online Content
State Statute - Requires Implementation of Digital Instructional Materials
Mississippi does not have a statute requiring the implementation of digital instructional materials.
State Statute - Allows Implementation of Digital Instructional Materials
Mississippi has a statute allowing the implementation of digital instructional materials.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-1: “Textbook shall be defined as any medium or manual of instruction, which contains a systematic presentation of the principles of a subject and which constitutes a major instructional vehicle for that subject.”
State Statute - Online Course Requirement
Mississippi does not have a statute requiring students to take an online course prior to graduation.
Out of School Access Instructional Materials
Mississippi does not provide guidance to LEAs in the use of digital instructional materials outside of the classroom.
Guidance Selection Accessible Digital Instructional Materials
Yes, our state provides information, examples or guidelines to LEAs to support the selection and acquisition of accessible digital instructional materials.
The Mississippi Instructional Resource Center (MIRC) is mandated by law as a repository to support school districts with accessible materials. LEAs have the flexibility to make local decisions regarding selection of materials. The MIRC then helps them acquire large print and braille materials for their visually impaired population.
Guidance Selection Accessible Technologies
Yes, our state provides information, examples or guidelines to LEAs to support the selection and acquisition of accessible digital instructional materials.
The state offers guidance to LEAs through the Mississippi Instructional Resource Center, TVI Specialists, and the Low Vision Clinic.
eLearning Days/Inclement Weather
Mississippi does not provide guidance to districts for possible solutions to scheduling issues posed by inclement weather.
State Review Process
Review of Instructional Materials
Mississippi has a process for the review of instructional materials.
In Mississippi, materials are evaluated by a committee of Mississippi educators selected through appointment from the governor and the State Superintendent of Education, for a total of 7 members per content area reviewed. The Mississippi Department of Education assist with this process by issuing an application for participation. Mississippi provides a link to background information regarding the implementation of high-quality instructional materials on our website at https://www.mdek12.org/HQIM The state has recently revised the Mississippi Instructional Materials Administration Handbook which includes guidance for the adoption of instructional material. The state issues an Invitation for Bids (IFB) and utilize a rubric developed in collaboration with EdReports and Student Achievement Partners. The Mississippi Instructional Materials Administration Handbook provides detailed information about the instructional materials review and selection process, while the rubrics, available online, disclose the criteria that will be examined. Publishers are encouraged to submit both video and printed “navigational roadmaps” to explain how to access their online content and provides the key components. Publishers were also trained on the review rubric that would be used to evaluate their submitted materials.
Materials Includes
Digital instructional materials
Review of Instructional Materials Outcomes
Mississippi does not have a process for the review of instructional materials outcomes.
Rated
Evaluated
Approved
Adopted
Posting of Reviewed Instructional Materials
Mississippi posts state reviewed instructional materials.
Districts Required to Purchase State Reviewed Instructional Materials
Mississippi does not require districts to purchase state reviewed instructional materials.
Districts Required to Follow State Review Process
Mississippi does not require districts to follow the state review process for the review of instructional materials.
Regional Support - Review of Instructional Materials
Mississippi does not have an Education Service Agency (ESA) or other regional organization that has a process for the review of instructional materials.
Regional Support - Posting Reviewed Instructional Materials
Mississippi does not have an ESA or other regional organization that posts reviewed instructional materials.
Resource Repositories
Content Management System: State Hosted or State Master Contract
Mississippi does not have a state hosted content management system or a state master contract for a content management system available to schools and districts.
Learning Management System: State Hosted or State Master Contract
Mississippi does not have a state hosted learning management system or state master contract for a learning management system available to schools and districts.
State Resource Repository
Mississippi does not have a state resource repository.
Funding
Dedicated State Funding
Mississippi has dedicated state funding.
Districts fund the purchase of digital instructional materials with general state funds and/or local initiatives.
Funding - District Options
Use local funds
Collaborate with other districts
Partner with non-profits
Overview
Mississippi does not procure resources for schools or districts on a statewide level. Each school district has the constitutional authority, from state and/or local resources, to procure and use digital resources and innovative educational technologies as they deem appropriate to meet educational goals and requirements. Mississippi solicits bids from publishers for titles to be reviewed and subsequently recommended to the State Board of Education. Approved vendors enter into a no-cost contract that allows for uniform costs across districts. The state does not specify a certain amount of funding that must be used by districts to purchase instructional materials. Districts typically use state or local funds to purchase textbooks (print or digital). To provide the highest quality of instructional materials to implement the curriculum frameworks for the schools across the state of Mississippi, the MDE has established a plan for the adoption, purchase, distribution, care and use of textbooks for students in all public schools that is an 18 month process. School districts are not required to purchase textbooks from the adopted list, they must choose materials that align to the standards.
Guidance – Publishers
Mississippi has procurement guidelines for companies interested in selling instructional materials in the state.
Digital instructional materials are processed the same as other materials.
Guidance – Publishers - Accessibility Features
Mississippi has guidelines for commercial and OER publishers, developers, and vendors related to accessibility features in products/services.
As a part of Mississippi’s Textbook Adoption Calls for Bids process, the Company/Publisher must agree, per MS Code Section 37-23-199, to furnish the MDE and NIMAC with NIMAS files for literary and nonliterary subjects.
Request for Proposals/Request for Information
Mississippi has a request for proposals/request for information process.
Includes
Instructional Materials
State Master Contract - Contract with State
Mississippi does not have state master contract available for district and schools to make purchases directly with the state.
State Master Contract - Contract with Publisher
Mississippi does not have state master contract available for district and schools to make purchases directly with the publisher.
State Pricing Negotiation
Mississippi does not negotiate prices with publishers, vendors during the RFP/RFI process, and districts may purchase the materials directly from the vendor.
Manage Regional Purchasing Consortia
Mississippi does not manage regional groups that participate in regional purchasing consortia for instructional materials.
Overview
The state provides through the Regional Education Laboratory-Southeast (REL-SE) access to training material designed to assist with the selection of evidenced-based instructional material. The state also provides continuous on-going professional learning to select teacher leaders that will facilitate and develop additional training opportunities for districts across the state.
Selection of Digital Instructional Materials
Mississippi provides professional learning opportunities to support teachers in the selection of quality digital instructional materials (licensed and/or OER) to use in the classroom.
Includes
Licensed digital
Implementation of Digital Instructional Materials
Mississippi does not provide professional learning opportunities to support teachers in the selection of quality digital instructional materials (licensed and/or OER) to use in the classroom.
Development of Professional Learning Programs
Mississippi does not develop professional learning programs.
Development of OER
Mississippi does not provide professional learning opportunities to support the development of digital OER.
Share OER
Mississippi does not provide professional learning opportunities for teachers to share of digital OER
Professional Learning - Accessibility
Yes, our state provides professional learning to support the implementation of accessible educational materials.
The state offers guidance to LEAs through the Mississippi Iinstructional Resource Center, TVI Specialists, and the Low Vision Clinic.
Technical Assistance - Accessible Instructional/Educational Materials
Yes, our state provide technical assistance to support the implementation of accessible instructional/educational materials
The state provides technical assistance through the Mississippi Instructional Resource Center and by using regional teachers of the visually impaired (TVIs). The Low Vision Clinic at Mississippi School for the Blind is also a resource for students in school districts to receive free eye exams and recommendations/support for low vision aids.
Technical Assistance - Accessible Technologies
Yes, our state provide technical assistance to support the use of accessible technologies.
The state offers technical assistance for through the Mississippi Iinstructional Resource Center, regional Teachers of the Visually Impaired Specialists, and the Low Vision Clinic.