Baby bust’s effect on public schools
Mississippi public school enrollment is set to steadily shrink. In 2007, Mississippi had 46,455 births, about 127 per day. In...
Change laws. Change lives.
Karrece spent her years as a young girl at the feet of her grandmothers watching them apply makeup. She followed...
Life changing reforms are winning the day
This week the Empower team was in Atlanta for State Policy Network’s Annual Meeting. SPN works alongside a national network of independent...
Empower reacts to charter board approving only one new charter
Today, the Mississippi Charter Authorizer Board approved one new charter application and denied four others, including denying a strong application...
Why has charter school progress been slow?
As we approach the 10-year anniversary of Mississippi approving charter schools, we remain excited for the kids who have been...
Lawsuit filed to stop student loan cancellation
A month after President Joe Biden announced plans to cancel a substantial portion of student loan debt, a lawsuit has...
Mississippi part of growing flat tax trend
Earlier this year, Mississippi lawmakers adopted legislation that will institute a 4 percent flat tax in the state. The Mississippi...
What charter school rankings really show
New school rankings show Leflore Legacy Academy Charter School in Greenwood, in only its second year of operation, was rated...
Mississippi’s regulations lead to fewer jobs, more poverty
New data shows that federal regulations have led to more people living in poverty, greater income inequality, fewer businesses, less...
Crime spike not due to prison reforms
Suggestions that the recent spike in homicides is due to recent statewide criminal justice reforms are not supported by evidence....
Are our schools doing better or worse?
We’ve seen conflicting reports on progress in Mississippi’s schools. This week, scores for all states on the National Assessment of...
Now Hiring: Executive Assistant to the CEO & Development Manager
The Empower Mississippi team is making a difference in the lives of Mississippians by advocating for public policy changes that remove barriers to opportunity so all Mississippians can rise. We have led the fight...
Do you know the most common topic addressed in the Bill of Rights?
Do you know the most common topic addressed in the Bill of Rights – the topic addressed by four of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution? With Bill of Rights Day being...
Focus on performance over student need drives veteran teacher out of the public school classroom
To say that Wanda Lee is a seasoned educator would be an understatement. The 43-year teacher has taught school all her adult life. The bulk of her career – 38 years – was spent...
Focus on performance over student need drives veteran teacher out of the public school classroom
To say that Wanda Lee is a seasoned educator would be an understatement. The 43-year teacher has taught school all her adult life. The bulk of her career – 38 years – was spent...
Opportunity Paves the Way for Clayborn to Find Success Beyond the Football Field
“I can’t guarantee you that you’ll succeed, but at least you can say you tried.” That theme has echoed throughout Jamaal Clayborn’s life. Growing up in inner city Jackson, Jamaal’s first love was always...
Opportunity Paves the Way for Clayborn to Find Success Beyond the Football Field
“I can’t guarantee you that you’ll succeed, but at least you can say you tried.” That theme has echoed throughout Jamaal Clayborn’s life. Growing up in inner city Jackson, Jamaal’s first love was always...
The Moffetts: four kids, three schools, one thriving family
With four children, Marcus and Christeen Moffett of Jackson find themselves busy with sports practices, dance, schoolwork, and so much more. “It’s a lot,” Christeen laughed. “We’re going in a lot of different directions.”...
What’s Your Favorite Halloween Candy?
As a child, Halloween was one of my favorite times of the year. It was a time to get dressed up and act silly, to put out spooky decorations, and, best of all, to...
What’s Your Favorite Halloween Candy?
As a child, Halloween was one of my favorite times of the year. It was a time to get dressed up and act silly, to put out spooky decorations, and, best of all, to...
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