Over the past few weeks, public schools across the state opened their doors wide to welcome 90% of Mississippi’s students back to the classroom. My own children, Kenley Grace and Nicholas, now come home each day shimmering with the joy of reconnecting with friends and teachers. Public schools are places like no other. In every neighborhood in our state, they are where our children’s minds are challenged, their curiosity encouraged, their critical thinking skills sharpened, and their ambitions nurtured.
Public schools are cornerstones of our communities and fuel for our economic future and quality of life. Think about it: Mississippi’s future is learning in our classrooms today.
We all recognize the critical link between strong public schools, a strong economy and a great standard of living. That’s why a broad coalition of parents, educators, business leaders, trade representatives, faith leaders and advocates gathered on Aug. 15, 2023, to launch Raise Mississippi, a collective movement to lift up our public schools, accelerate student outcomes, and improve our state’s economy.
“Public schools are places like no other,” MAE President Erica Jones writes. “In every neighborhood in our state, they are where our children’s minds are challenged, their curiosity encouraged, their critical thinking skills sharpened, and their ambitions nurtured.” Graphic courtesy of Mississippi Association of Education
The idea behind Raise Mississippi is simple: it’s a vision for strong public schools in every community—from Tupelo to Natchez, Greenville to Laurel—to ensure that our students of today become the skilled workforce of tomorrow and remain lifelong Mississippians.
The pillars forming the foundation of Raise Mississippi’s effort are straightforward and based on research that shows what works:
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