About Us The Mississippi First team is a group of dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to promote the mission of Mississippi First.
Our Focus Areas At Mississippi First, we lead change by advancing ideas through the policy continuum. We are a leading voice for high-quality early education, high-quality public charter schools, access to highly effective teachers and leaders, and creating a future for public schools.
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Our Work Mississippi First is a policy organization. We work closely with elected officials to pass legislation that will increase educational excellence for kids.
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News & Updates Stay informed with the latest updates, stories, and perspectives on our work to advance educational excellence in Mississippi.
Take Action Check out the various ways to get involved below and help us increase access to high-quality public education in Mississippi.
July 11, 2024by Natasha Couoh

Mississippi First Releases 2023 Public Perception of Charter Schools Survey Findings

Jackson, Mississippi—Mississippi First is pleased to announce the release of the 2023 Public Perception of Charter Schools survey report, which provides critical insights into public understanding and support of charter schools in Mississippi. This comprehensive survey was conducted by the Survey Research Lab (SRL) at Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center. The survey captured responses from a […]

11 July 2024 Mississippi First Releases 2023 Public Perception of Charter Schools Survey Findings
October 3, 2022by Natasha Couoh

Mississippi First Awarded $19.3M Charter Schools Program Grant to Expand Public Charter Schools

Jackson, MS— The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Mississippi First a $19.3 million, five-year Charter Schools Program grant to grow high-quality public charter schools in Mississippi. Charter schools are free, public, and open to all students in an eligible grade who reside in an eligible geography. The Charter Schools Program (CSP) is a competitive, national grant program eligible […]

03 October 2022 Mississippi First Awarded $19.3M Charter Schools Program Grant to Expand Public Charter Schools
October 15, 2020by Natasha Couoh

2020 Public Charter School Survey Findings Released

Jackson, MS—This week, the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board and Mississippi First released new findings from a charter school parent satisfaction and awareness survey. Mississippi First was contracted by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board (MCSAB) to conduct a parent satisfaction survey in the summer 2020 as part of the MCSAB’s federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) […]

15 October 2020 2020 Public Charter School Survey Findings Released
September 6, 2019by Natasha Couoh

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 education dollars belong to public school children for their public education; charter […]

06 September 2019 Mississippi First Statement on the Charter School Lawsuit Victory
September 6, 2019by Natasha Couoh

2019 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 to conduct a parent satisfaction survey in the spring of 2019. Participants […]

06 September 2019 2019 Public Charter School Survey Findings Released