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CS4MS Highlighted In Debut Issue of School Focus Magazine

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi’s new magazine on K-12 education, School Focus, premiered in early August.

Produced by the RCU in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Education, School Focus highlights the accomplishments of Mississippi teachers and students and provides a glimpse into classrooms and schools across the state. It is posted to the RCU’s website and has been disseminated in print and electronic forms to thousands of educators, officials, and other groups across the state.

Kim Benton, chief academic officer at the MDE, said the magazine highlights the hard work of teachers, students, and administrators and provides an opportunity for Mississippians to see the progress and achievements of school districts.

“I am pleased to share the great news from our schools because that is where the real change happens for our boys and girls across the state. I am optimistic about the future of public education in Mississippi, and I believe these stories prove we are well on our way to higher achievement,” Benton said.

This issue has a special section on the state educational standards, covers an innovative computer science pilot, and gives an exclusive look inside an elementary teacher’s desk. School Focus combines feature stories with informative material for educators and administrators.

“Every district in this state has a success story—a student, an educator, a program—and we hope this magazine can bring awareness to and celebrate those stories while also challenging educators to try new things and reach across district lines for ideas and support,” said Kristen Dechert, who oversees communication, research, and evaluation at the RCU.

The magazine, which was written, designed, and printed at the RCU, will be published twice a year with fall and spring issues. The RCU’s communication team and the MDE hope it will inform educators and other stakeholders of the exciting work happening in Mississippi’s K-12 classrooms.

“School Focus complements our established magazine Connections, which focuses on high school career and technical education,” Dechert said. “Together, the two tell a powerful story of public education in Mississippi by highlighting students on the path to college and career readiness and the schools and educators who prepare them.”

For more information on School Focus, visit rcu.msstate.edu/Research/Publications or contact Emile Creel at emile.creel@rcu.msstate.edu.