Public Charter School Survey Findings Released
Jackson, MS—On October 7, 2019, the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board and Mississippi First released a new report titled Public Perception of Charter Schools in Mississippi. Through the Charter School Program (CSP) federal grant, Mississippi First was contracted by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board…
School Grades: A Few Pointers (Cont.)
Yesterday, we did a thread to explain school grades. Here’s some additional information about growth because it is the hardest part to understand. Usually, when schoolwide proficiency goes up, growth will go up as well, BUT it is possible to have higher proficiency scores schoolwide from one…
Mississippi First Statement on the Charter School Lawsuit Victory
Yesterday, the Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of charter schools receiving state and local dollars. Mississippi First is thrilled for the 1,750-plus children receiving their public education from one of the six public charter schools in Mississippi. The ruling unequivocally affirms what we have said all along: public…
MCSAB Authorizes New Charter Schools
This year, the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board (MCSAB) has approved the application of three more charter schools, bringing the total count to eight public charter schools in Mississippi. Charter schools are free public schools. They get their name from the contract—or charter—that the school…
MCSAB: Hiring a Grants Coordinator
From the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board website, posted on 11/9/2017. To see the original post, click here. The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board seeks a self-motivated professional with excellent problem solving and communication skills to be its Grants Coordinator. A successful candidate will have the…
$15M to Expand High-Quality Public Charter Schools in Mississippi
Today, the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board received a $15M grant from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) through the Expanding Opportunities Through Quality Charter Schools Program Grants to State Entities (CSP State Entities program). ED selected 9 state entities out of 22 state applicants…
MDE Approves 4 Additional Early Learning Collaboratives
NEWS RELEASE from the Mississippi Department of Education For Immediate Release: November 10, 2016 State Board Approves Four Additional Early Learning Collaboratives Preschool Programs JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi State Board of Education voted today to add four new early learning collaboratives (ELC) to the…
Understanding and Interpreting 2015-2016 MAP Scores: Proceed with Caution
This week, the Mississippi Department of Education will release 2015-2016 MAP scores for all public school districts. These proficiency scores reflect achievement on the new state assessment called MAP that students took Spring 2016; they will not include student growth scores or school grades,…
Parents Show Support for Charter Schools
Jackson, MS–Yesterday, over 45 parents, teachers, and administrators from RePublic Charter Schools and Midtown Charter School rallied in front of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) office building showing their support for charter schools in Mississippi. “We want choice! We want choice! We want choice!”…
Statement on SPLC Lawsuit
PRESS RELEASE Mississippi First Rachel Canter Executive Director rachel@mississippifirst.org 601.398.9008 Mississippi First Statement on the Southern Poverty Law Center Charter School Lawsuit Yesterday, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) filed a lawsuit alleging that the Mississippi Public Charter Schools Act of 2013 is unconstitutional under…