Mississippi
News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in Mississippi
Federal
News in Brief
Audit Finds Flaws in Hurricane Aid
A recent report by the inspector general’s office of the U.S. Department of Education found flaws in the state’s oversight of a $750 million federal grant program.
States
State of the States
Mississippi Governor Wants Hike in School Funding
Gov. Haley Barbour called for increased teacher pay, expanded early-childhood education, and full funding for the formula intended to equalize school spending throughout Mississippi.
Equity & Diversity
History Lessons
Mississippi students in kindergarten through 12th grade soon will have the opportunity to learn about the rocky and often violent struggles for civil rights in and beyond their state as part of their history lessons.
Federal
The ‘New Normal’
In the last district in Mississippi to reopen following Hurricane Katrina, educators struggle to keep school while putting their lives back together. Includes accompanying photo gallery with audio: The 'New Normal.'
Federal
First Lady, Spellings Tour Gulf Coast Schools
First lady Laura Bush and U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings dropped into three schools along the Gulf Coast last week.
Education
State of the States
Funding Is Priority; Recovery Continues
Gov. Haley Barbour focused much of his Jan. 9 State of the State Address on reassuring Mississippians that their state’s economy would recover following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of many Gulf Coast communities.
Budget & Finance
Bond Ratings Another Worry for Gulf Coast Districts
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita's impact on school districts’ bonded debt is just becoming clear. It could affect districts’ recovery.
Budget & Finance
Hurricanes Blow Holes in School Revenues
School districts that suffered damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have reopened and scrambling to find the money to keep them solvent.
School Climate & Safety
Data Deliverance
As school districts in southern Mississippi struggle back to normal life following Hurricane Katrina, they can at least be assured that once their computer systems are working, databases of student academic and demographic information can be downloaded with a few mouse clicks.
School Climate & Safety
School Official Rides Out Storm
The Harrison County school district headquarters was about the only place that had electricity in coastal Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina and for more than a week afterward.
School Climate & Safety
Mississippi Begins Clearing Wreckage, Planning For Classes
Hundreds of Mississippi schools remained closed, as education leaders made plans to resume classes, rebuild schools, and restart their lives.
School & District Management
Schools Open Doors to Students Fleeing Gulf Coast Disaster
Thousands of children displaced by one of the most destructive natural disasters will be back in school soon, sometimes as far as 500 miles away.
Education Funding
New Mississippi Budget Draws Mixed Reviews
Mississippi lawmakers in a special session have passed a $145 million increase in K-12 spending for the new fiscal year—more than Gov. Haley Barbour and some legislators had proposed, but not enough to improve financing substantially for many districts.
Education Funding
A State Capitals Roundup
Miss. Offered $50 Million For Student Incentives
As Mississippi lawmakers debate how much they can spend on K-12 education this coming fiscal year, a former business executive announced that he’ll offer the state $50 million in student-performance incentives—if lawmakers approve “full funding” for education.