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Opinion

Latino: The dumb leftist argument against school choice that won’t go away

17

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 11:26 PM

Below is a political opinion column by Russ Latino:

With school choice being pushed by the Trump White House, Mississippi senators should think twice about relying on empty leftist rhetoric like “no public money for private schools” in opposition

School choice will be the number one issue in Mississippi this legislative session. Combatants should be prepared for a no holds barred fight, complete with idiotic talking points and scare tactics.

Schools

Governor Reeves urges lawmakers to send the Mississippi Educational Freedom Program Act to his desk

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Wed, 01/14/2026 - 09:52 AM

“The House should pass it! The Senate should then pass it! And I will gladly sign it to keep Mississippi’s momentum booming,” Governor Tate Reeves said.

Governor Tate Reeves (R) took to social media Tuesday afternoon to encourage lawmakers in the Mississippi House and Senate to send HB 2, the “Mississippi Educational Freedom Program Act of 2026,” to his desk.

Schools

House Education Committee hears arguments for, against school choice

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Tue, 01/13/2026 - 04:02 PM

“Options are extremely limited for families who want something better or simply different for their children,” New Hebron Mayor Cindy Bryan told lawmakers. “We now have fewer students, more funding per student and lower performance.”

Members of the Mississippi House Education Committee heard testimony from parents and others invested in education about the potential impacts school choice may have on the state during a hearing held Wednesday afternoon.

Schools

Proposals to ban school cell phone use back before Mississippi lawmakers

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Tue, 01/13/2026 - 03:38 PM

Similar bills were introduced during the 2025 legislative session but did not gain enough support from both chambers to make it to the governor’s desk.

In the first week of the 2026 legislative session, four bills were filed to ban cell phone use in Mississippi public school classrooms.

Two of those bills came out of the Senate, where SB 2099 was authored by State Senator Briggs Hopson (R) and SB 2069 was authored by Senator Dennis DeBar (R).

Politics

Senate Education Committee moves teacher pay raise, public-to-public transfer bills forward

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Thu, 01/08/2026 - 03:58 PM

Under the Senate proposals, teachers could receive a $2,000 pay increase and students would be allowed to transfer between public schools without their current district objecting.

On the first day of Mississippi’s 2026 legislative session, the Senate Education Committee kicked things off by sending three bills to the floor, each intended to strengthen the state’s K-12 public school system members said.

Politics

Lt. Governor Hosemann outlines Senate education priorities for 2026 session

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Thu, 01/08/2026 - 03:38 PM

The proposed Senate education reforms are not as bold as their House counterparts.

Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann (R) outlined his Mississippi Senate legislative priorities Monday at the Stennis Capitol Press Forum, with education bills top of mind.

Hosemann expects legislation to allow opportunities for students to transfer from underperforming public districts to higher rated public districts to be a priority for senators this session.

Schools

State Superintendent releases annual report for K-12 schools

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Thu, 01/08/2026 - 03:32 PM

The report states graduation rates and the number of third graders passing reading assessments are making gains.

Mississippi State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans released his annual report this week, outlining the state’s educational achievements during the 2024-25 school year.

The report states graduation rates and the number of third graders passing reading assessments are making gains.

Within the Magnolia State, 431,931 students were enrolled in public school classrooms staffed by 32,540 teachers.

Politics

Mississippi House proposes ambitious package of school choice reforms

12

Thu, 01/08/2026 - 12:22 PM

Speaker Jason White and House Republican education leaders dropped the Education Freedom Act on Wednesday, offering a path to universal school choice.

The kitchen sink. It’s arguably the only thing missing from the Mississippi House of Representatives long awaited school choice proposal. Among the proposals contained in the omnibus bill, HB2, are:

Politics

Speaker White previews House education freedom reforms ahead of 2026 session

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Wed, 01/07/2026 - 04:22 PM

Some legislators, mainly Democrats, have expressed opposition to the proposed education reforms.

Mississippi Speaker of the House Jason White (R) outlined key parts of his chamber’s education reform bill on Monday afternoon, one day before the start of the 2026 season. White said the legislation could be filed as early as this week.

The cornerstone of the bill is to give parents and students more say in their K-12 education decisions, with state funding following the pupils to the school of their choice.

MUW president announces retirement

12

Wed, 01/07/2026 - 04:10 PM

President Nora Miller will continue in her responsibilities under her last day on June 30. IHL’s Board of Trustees will coordinate the process to name a replacement.

The longtime president of the Mississippi University of Women announced Monday that she will be retiring, effective at the end of June.

MUW president Nora R. Miller will retire on June 30, 2026, after three decades in higher education. She was named MUW’s president in 2018.

Rho Iota Zeta hosts ‘Purple Christmas’

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Tue, 01/06/2026 - 09:50 AM

While December is not officially recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, many domestic violence programs run special campaigns during the 12th month, as survivors may face heightened danger and isolation during the holidays.
These efforts often focus on sharing hotline numbers, safety-planning tips and reminders to check in on friends and family who may be at risk.
Because of these increased risks, many advocates treat December and the broader holiday season as a critical time for awareness and safety outreach.

Opinion

Akers: The joy of learning has been lost. It’s time to bring it back

7

Fri, 01/02/2026 - 03:32 PM

Below is an opinion column by Donna Akers:

Dr. Donna Akers says if Mississippi truly wants to prepare students for lifelong success, we need to recognize that no single approach will fit every learner.

After more than 30 years in Mississippi’s public schools, I’ve seen the classroom change in ways I never imagined. When I first started teaching, education was about discovery. Students explored, asked questions, and learned to love learning. Somewhere along the way, that joy disappeared.

State Board of Education members during a meeting, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Incomplete audits make dozens of Mississippi school districts’ finances a mystery

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Fri, 01/02/2026 - 03:00 PM

Timely audits can alert state officials to potential financial emergencies at school districts such as the situation that spurred a takeover of Okolona schools in late October.

A third of Mississippi school districts are behind on submitting completed annual financial audits to the state Department of Education.

Without that information, state education officials are in the dark about current finances at 47 of Mississippi’s 138 public school districts, including any pending financial emergencies.

Sen. Nicole Boyd, R-Oxford, takes notes during a presentation by Mississippi Department of Child Services Commissioner Andrea Sanders, during a study group on women, children and family, held at the State Capitol, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Legislators discuss increasing numbers of Mississippians attaining jobs and education beyond high school

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Fri, 01/02/2026 - 02:26 PM

State lawmakers and leaders of Mississippi’s public colleges and universities are examining ways to increase the number of adults who complete some form of education after high school, land a job and earn a living wage.

The initial conversations, held Wednesday and Thursday during a joint meeting of the state House and Senate committees on universities and colleges, will likely continue during the 2026 legislative session.

Here are four key takeaways from the committee meetings.

Lewisburg Elementary School physical education teacher Jason Reid prepares for his afternoon bus route on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Olive Branch, Miss. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Auditor: Half of state education money should go toward raising teacher pay

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Fri, 01/02/2026 - 01:06 PM

State Auditor Shad White’s office says Mississippi teachers are paid less today than they were during the Great Recession.

Mississippi teachers are among the lowest paid in the country. State Auditor Shad White wants state lawmakers to change that next year.

Public schools honor top performers

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Tue, 12/30/2025 - 08:48 AM

2025 Year in Review

54

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 08:45 AM

January 2 – Rural Education and Leadership (REAL) Christian Foundation, Inc. presented scholarship money to three local schools serving Simpson County. Genesis One Christian School, Grace Christian School of Mt. Olive and Hope Christian Academy in D’Lo each received $5,000.

Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees discuss the agenda during a meeting at the IHL headquarters in Jackson, Miss., on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Federal appeals court will allow IHL board members to be sued as individuals in sex discrimination case

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Mon, 12/29/2025 - 03:58 PM

A sex discrimination lawsuit against the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees will proceed with the board and each member named as defendants, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Schools

IHL board will allow JSU’s interim president to vie for the permanent role

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Mon, 12/29/2025 - 03:38 PM

Denise Jones Gregory, Jackson State University’s interim president, is now eligible to apply for the permanent position thanks to a one-time policy waiver.

The Mississippi Department of Education is located in the former Central High School at 359 N. West Street in Jackson, Friday, Mar. 11, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

The number of vacancies among teachers is going up in Mississippi, new survey shows

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Tue, 12/23/2025 - 02:42 PM

Nearly 4,000 teaching positions remain unfilled in Mississippi, hundreds more than last year.