Programs

Mississippi Learning Academy Schools
Mississippi Learning Academy (MLA) Schools are the Pre-kindergarten thru grade 12 laboratories consisting of five schools within the Jackson Public School Jim Hill feeder pattern. These schools include George Elementary School, Isable Elementary School, Poindexter Elementary School, Blackburn Middle School, and Jim Hill High School.

Mississippi Learning Academy Literacy Coaches
MLA literacy coaches serve as full-time mentors for teachers and provide invaluable instructional support by modeling classroom lessons, demonstrating new curricular or instructional concepts; conducting pre- and post-conferences with teachers; facilitating Saturday professional development sessions; leading in-school follow-up and monitoring activities; and conducting quarterly feeder pattern professional development workshops.  

MLI Saturday Professional Development
Providing high-quality professional development is the cornerstone of the Institute.  As a extended opportunities model, MLI provides Saturday professional development experiences for its MLA teachers, literacy coaches, administrators, and ARM tutors at the Mississippi eCenter. We have enlisted the support of JSU College of Education and Human Development research faculty, and renowned educational and reading experts to assist us in transferring research and theory into instructional best practices and increased student achievement. 

America Reads Mississippi (ARM) – JSU Region
ARM is an AmeriCorps program consisting of 270 full-time members who serve in 52 school sites across the state of Mississippi.  ARM members are committed to improving the reading skills of students, encouraging public awareness and support of literacy, and helping to increase the number of certified teachers in Mississippi. The MLI currently has 53 ARM members in 3 child care centers, and in the MLA elementary and middle schools.

MLI Collaborative Growth Team Research Project
The work of this body supports improving teaching and learning for stakeholders in the Jackson State University community.  To this end, the Collaborative Growth Team meets monthly to: 1) plan and coordinate professional development, both instructional and curricular programs, that addresses, but is not limited to, literacy and leadership, that is customized to meet the immediate and potential needs of the students, teachers, and administrators we serve, as defined by scientifically valid research principles; 2) conduct, publish, and disseminate relevant, rigorous qualitative and quantitative studies that deliver products and services to improve teaching and learning; and 3) work together and build consensus for the collective results of improving teaching and learning for all stakeholders.

MLI Tuition Reimbursement Program
In an effort to strengthen the quality of teaching and to retain quality teachers and administrators within the five Mississippi Learning Academy (MLA) schools, the Institute established a tuition reimbursement program for certified teachers and administrators.  This program offers eligible candidates tuition assistance up to $3600 an academic year, contingent upon their commitment work in the MLA schools. 

Partnership in Early Childhood Education (PIECE)         
MLI coordinates the Partnership in Early Childhood Education (PIECE) Project in order to ensure young children enter school with the skills they need for reading readiness. The PIECE Project places trained tutors at Child Care Centers throughout the West Jackson area and also provides professional development for care givers so that they understand the importance of these early cognitive skills. The target sites for the PIECE Project include the Lottie Thornton Center at Jackson State University, Christian Mission Early Learning Center, and Thea Bowman Catholic School.

AT&T Technology from the Inside Out
“Technology from the Inside Out,” funded by a $100,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation, looks to provide technology-based learning opportunities for students and families at Jim Hill High School. AT&T donated used computers for the students to refurbish, and the AT&T Pioneers, a volunteer organization representing more than 100,000 active and retired employees throughout the nine state AT&T regions will provide technology assistance.

MLI Subject Area Testing Program (SATP) Quiz Bowl