Mississippi News

Virtual tutoring program coming soon

Published

4 years ago

March 10, 2022

BiloxiNewsEvents

Dept. of Education uses $10.7 million of stimulus funds to launch virtual tutoring program

by Julia James, Mississippi Today
March 10, 2022

Students in Mississippi will soon have 24/7 access to free online tutoring services in English and math.

The Mississippi Department of Education signed a $10.7 million contract with Paper, an online tutoring company, to provide live help and writing feedback to 3rd-12th grade students across the state. 121 districts signed up for this opt-in program.

The program is paid for by the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund, and will last through September 2024.

“Like many states across the country, we would like to use our (pandemic relief) funds to mitigate any learning loss that has taken place as a result of the pandemic,” Marla Davis, associate superintendent of academic education, said when presenting the service to the State Board of Education on Feb. 17.

According to Paper’s website, tutors are college students, PhD candidates, and teachers who can provide assistance in English, Spanish, French, or Mandarin.

There are no limits on the length of a tutoring session or the number of sessions a student can initiate. The state recommends tutoring sessions three times a week for 30 minutes, a model also known as “high-dosage tutoring,” but it is not a requirement.

Teachers and administrators will also be able to monitor student activity and progress on the platform, with the goal of helping inform instruction. Davis also said that professional development and technical support will be provided for classroom teachers to help them utilize the platform, which is expected to begin by the end of March.

“We’re honored to take this major step towards educational equity alongside the state of Mississippi,” said Philip Cutler, co-founder and CEO of Paper. “This initiative makes it clear that the state’s highest-ranking education leaders view tutoring as a vital academic resource, and we look forward to partnering with them to create a world-class educational system in the Magnolia State.”

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination believed to have acted alone, says Utah governor

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – The Associated Press – 2025-09-12 05:10:00

SUMMARY: Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested for the targeted assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Orem, Utah. Authorities said Robinson had expressed opposition to Kirk’s views and indicated responsibility after the shooting. The attack occurred during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was shot once from a rooftop and later died in hospital. Engravings on bullets and chat messages helped link Robinson to the crime, which was captured on grim video. The killing sparked bipartisan condemnation amid rising political violence. President Trump announced Robinson’s arrest and plans to award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Read the full article

The post Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination believed to have acted alone, says Utah governor appeared first on www.wjtv.com

Mississippi News

Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies

Published

4 days ago

September 11, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wcbi.com – Associated Press – 2025-09-11 14:00:00

SUMMARY: On the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, solemn ceremonies were held in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville to honor nearly 3,000 victims. Families shared personal remembrances, emphasizing ongoing grief and the importance of remembrance. Vice President JD Vance postponed his attendance to visit a recently assassinated activist’s family, adding tension to the day. President Trump spoke at the Pentagon, pledging never to forget and awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. The attacks’ global impact reshaped U.S. policy, leading to wars and extensive health care costs for victims. Efforts continue to finalize legal proceedings against the alleged plot mastermind.

Read the full article

The post Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies appeared first on www.wcbi.com

Mississippi News

Hunt for Charlie Kirk assassin continues, high-powered rifle recovered

Published

5 days ago

September 11, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Michael Bartiromo – 2025-09-11 04:56:00

SUMMARY: Charlie Kirk, conservative influencer and Turning Point USA founder, was fatally shot by a sniper during a speech at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. The shooter, believed to be a college-aged individual who fired from a rooftop, escaped after the attack. Authorities recovered a high-powered rifle and are reviewing video footage but have not identified the suspect. The shooting highlighted growing political violence in the U.S. and sparked bipartisan condemnation. Kirk, a Trump ally, was praised by political leaders, including Trump, who called him a “martyr for truth.” The university was closed and security heightened following the incident.

Read the full article

The post Hunt for Charlie Kirk assassin continues, high-powered rifle recovered appeared first on www.wjtv.com