Mississippi First Releases 2021 State of Pre-K Series Briefs 1 and 2 Examining the Role of the Early Learning Collaboratives in Increasing Quality and Access to Pre-K
These are the first two of four briefs in the State of Pre-K Series. The 2021 pre-K briefs as a whole provide strong evidence that the collaborative program is the path to expanding quality pre-K statewide. Today, Mississippi First is releasing two pre-K research briefs demonstrating the positive impact Early Learning Collaboratives have had on the […]
Communications Tools: Navigating Crisis
We would love to imagine a world in which school districts never have to engage in crisis communications, but this past month, schools began re-opening for a new school year right as the Delta variant is surging in Mississippi. In some ways, we know just as little about how this school year will unfold as we […]
Mississippi First Releases Report on Technology in Schools
Mississippi schools have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Every student now has access to a device, and the state is working to expand broadband access. These circumstances make it the right time for districts to establish a one-to-one technology initiative. Today, Mississippi First released our One-to-One Implementation Guide: Establishing Your District’s One-to-One Technology Initiative. The guide supports Mississippi school […]
Mississippi First Releases New Report Detailing the Educator Pipeline Crisis in Mississippi
Jackson, MS—Today, Mississippi First released their newest report titled Nothing in the Pipes: Educator Crisis in Mississippi. In recent years, a new problem in a decades-old challenge has emerged: the number of new Mississippi teachers has sharply declined, exacerbating the teacher shortage and threatening the success of public education in Mississippi. This new report discusses how […]
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) […]
Mississippi First Officially Launches Raise the Rate
Jackson, MS—Today, Mississippi First officially launched the Raise the Rate campaign at the Capitol. During the 2020 legislative session, Mississippi First will be working with partners, collaboratives, and legislators to raise the pre-K funding rate from $4,300 to $5,000 per child for early learning collaborative students. Because the cost of the state-funded pre-K program is shared between the state […]
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 […]
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 […]
Mississippi First Releases New Report on District and State Testing
Jackson, MS—Today, Mississippi First released Understanding District and State Testing in Mississippi. This report uses field research on testing practices in four diverse Mississippi school districts to determine how many tests Mississippi students take and how much time they spend taking those tests. It also describes common school district testing practices, such as how testing is conducted and […]
Mississippi First Releases Report of 2017 Education Survey Results
Today, Mississippi First released Mississippi Voices: Public Perception of Pre-K-12 Education in Mississippi, a report revealing public perceptions of the issues that Mississippi First supports as well as perceptions of the broader public education context in Mississippi. The report is based on the responses of 504 adults in Mississippi. The 27-item scientific survey covered public education […]