Today, Mississippi First released the second report in its ground-breaking series, The State of Pre-K in Mississippi, which focuses on pre-K access and quality in Mississippi. The report released today—The State of Pre-K in Mississippi (2014-2015)—updates our 2011-2012 report on public pre-K and expands it to include information about licensed childcare centers serving four-year-old children….
Read MoreMDE 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 current list of 10 to provide high-quality early childhood education…
Read MoreUnderstanding 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, which are expected to be released later this fall. Mississippi students…
Read MoreParents File Motion to Intervene in the Charter School Lawsuit
Jackson, MS–On August 10, 2016, the Mississippi Justice Institute, on behalf of three public charter school parents, filed a motion to intervene in the charter school lawsuit recently brought by the Southern Poverty Law Center. After filing the motion, the Mississippi Justice Institute held a press conference on the Mississippi Department of Education’s lawn. Two…
Read MoreStatement 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 the Mississippi Constitution. We are confident the claims will be…
Read MoreSB 2161 Signed by Governor
Today, Governor Bryant signed SB 2161 into law. This bill requires charter schools meet or exceed graduation requirements set by the State Board of Education, makes teachers eligible for PERS if they work in a charter school, gives teachers 3 years to earn state certification as long as no more than 25% of a charter school’s…
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