May 10, 2016
CLINTON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced today that it has received a $500,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) to support teachers and parents in their efforts to help prepare students for college and the workforce.
The grant, which will be effective through March 2018, will support the development of educational materials for teachers and meetings for parents to learn more about the Mississippi College and Career Ready Standards. The grant also will provide an opportunity for Mississippi teachers to work together this summer to develop lessons and unit plans in mathematics and English language arts that school districts may choose to use in classrooms. The use of instructional materials will continue to be a local school district decision.
Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education, said the project is in response to repeated requests from teachers and school leaders who wanted high-quality classroom materials aligned to the state’s learning goals. WKKF’s support will provide an opportunity for the MDE to collaborate with teachers from around the state and to enlist the expertise of teachers.
“We are thrilled that the Foundation is supporting our efforts to ensure our teachers receive the professional development and resources needed to help our students succeed. We will also work with school districts on helping parents better understand the academic standards and what they can do at home to help their children,” Wright said.
About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519