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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News & Updates Stay informed with the latest updates, stories, and perspectives on our work to advance educational excellence in Mississippi.
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Reports & Publications

Post Type Description

The Weight They Carry: Life as a Teacher in Mississippi

Mississippi First has released a new report, The Weight They Carry: Life as a Teacher in Mississippi, which examines the conditions shaping teachers’ day-to-day experiences and their decisions about whether to remain in the classroom. Based on survey responses from nearly 1,000 Mississippi teachers across more than 120 school districts and charter schools, the report […]

Mississippi Charter Parent Focus Groups 2024-25

In the fall of 2024, Mississippi First contracted with SHARED Strategy Group, LLC to facilitate focus groups composed of parents and guardians who have children in Mississippi charter schools. The focus groups explored why families chose charter schools, satisfaction with different aspects of the schools, and areas for improvement. This research followed up on a […]

Evidence-Based Interventions to Leverage MSFF Funds

Mississippi First is excited to announce the release of our newest brief: Evidence-Based Interventions to Leverage MSFF Funds.  In 2024, the Mississippi Legislature passed the Mississippi Student Funding Formula (MSFF), ushering in a new approach to public school funding. Under the MSFF, the majority of school districts receive more state funding than they did through the […]

Toolkit: How to Start an Early Learning Collaborative

This toolkit focuses on starting a state-funded early learning collaborative (ELC) program. Learn about the different types of state-funded pre-K programs and what steps you should take when considering starting a specific program. Being able to operate a state-funded collaborative pre-K program is dependent on state funding appropriated by the legislature. The application process for […]

Early Education: Policy Vision

Learn about the five policy priorities for early education in Mississippi that we believe will create a stable and interconnected early childhood system for families, children, and educators.

2024 Pre-K in Mississippi: Briefing Book

Mississippi First’s “2024 Pre-K in Mississippi: Briefing Book” analyzes the state’s pre-kindergarten programs, covering history, types, costs, and improvements.