You are here:

NCAC: Research & Solutions: Policy: State Accessible Curriculum Policy Survey

50 State Accessible Curriculum Policy Survey

Back to Summary Page

• For students with print-disabilities that are not based on blindness or visual impairment, the state provides referral to Library of Congress (usually appx. 5-6 requests per year)

• MS/School for the Blind does not produce any of its own texts. Instead, it contracts out with Braille and large-print producers

• Local large-print producer, plus organization in North Dakota (using prison labor) with two units: “Confined Leading the Blind” (Braille) and “Prose and Cons” (large type)

• Difficulties related to ISBN #’s – often get made-up ISBN #’s from districts (currently switching from catalog numbers to strict use of ISBN’s); if ISBN # is different (even if only “one comma” is changed), it is a different book, but if the district accepts the earlier version, they may not need to reproduce the updated edition

• Adoptions done at the district level (5 year cycle), and with 152 school districts “there can be 152 algebra books.” Also, since school board members are elected, they take their positions very serious and will devote considerable energy to fighting the adoption of specific books they oppose. Tremendous time lags result when this occurs (happens in about 15 school districts each year re: one book per district)

• Process of Clinard’s office is first to search Louis and try to locate the book, then often to check with in-state large type producer. Double check: is this the right book (ISBN #) and have large type producer do a cost analysis

  Step two: Clinard’s office sends a request for funds downtown (all large-print funding is state funding, plus they get APH quota funs for Braille)

  Step three: when authorization comes through, book is ordered. In-state producer can turn around book in about a week

• Note: School in MS starts at beginning of August, so it is harder to get materials in time if ordered late or coming from providers serving markets that usually have mid-September deadlines to meet (e.g. TX, CA, ND)

• Some publishers voluntatily send ASCII files on disk when a book is ordered. However, Clinard can’t do anything with them because they can’t produce books and can’t send the files to the book producers (Braille/large-type producer needs to be the one requesting them)

• So far, have not had any problem getting permission to reproduce texts from larger publishers

• On occasion, smaller publishers have refused to turn over computer files. No law suits re: this because found ways to get books transcribed through other means

• Each year about 300 kids are identified as needing books – 280 large print and 20 braille – in entire State

• 300-400 titles in need of transcribing per year

• Discussions w/original Senators re: modifying orig. Braille law (although it has been highly successful…reaching 56% more kids than before)

Links and Contacts

Department of Education: http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/

Special Education: http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/special_education/

Textbook Publishers and Publisher Representatives: http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/textbook/publishers.html

Contacts

Melody Bounds, Director
Tel. (601) 359-3498
E-mail: mbounds@mde.k12.ms.us

Dr. Rosie L. Thompson-Pridgen, MS School For the Blind
1252 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS 39211
Tel. (601) 984-8203

John R. Jun, MS School For the Deaf
1253 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS 39211
Tel. (601) 984-8001

Judy McLarty, Textbook Procurement/Adoption
Tel. (601) 354-7543
E-mail: JMcLarty@mde.k12.ms.us

Back to Summary Page