MS HB1598

Appropriates $1,632,550 from the State General Fund to the State Department of Education for fiscal year 2014 (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014).

Distributes $538,875 to Hattiesburg Municipal School District for a digital interactive learning pilot program at Burger Middle School.

Distributes $1,093,675 to Booneville Municipal School District for digital interactive learning pilot programs at Anderson Elementary, Booneville Middle School, and Booneville High School.

Requires pilot programs to replace traditional textbooks with interactive electronic content on digital devices, including campus-wide Wi-Fi networks for classroom access to web-based learning materials and online testing.

Directs the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) to conduct a performance audit and report to the Legislature by January 1, 2014, assessing educational effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and return on investment with expansion recommendations.