The Future of Schools: Policy Vision

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 […]

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. Authors Angela Bass, Deputy Director of Policy, 2014-2019 Rachel Canter, Executive Director, 2008-2025

In 2016, Mississippi First, in collaboration with the Survey Research Laboratory at Mississippi State University (SRL), developed a survey to measure public opinion in Mississippi on a wide selection of education topics, including school quality, accountability, charter schools, school funding, and early education. The report of the findings was published in 2017. Authors Rachel Canter, […]

Districts have always been tasked with building community and ensuring student safety while in the classroom. Now, the stakes are even higher as districts continue to recover from the disruption of the pandemic. Effective communication with families and students is critical to helping districts move forward. Authors MacKenzie Stroh Hines, Chief of Staff, 2013-2023 Aerial […]

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. Mississippi First developed this guide as a roadmap to ensuring your technology program has a lasting legacy. […]