Jackson area K-8 (Joel E. Smilow Collegiate Charter School) and middle grade (Joel E. Smilow Prep Charter School) charter schools proposed by RePublic Schools were moved to the final round of consideration in the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board’s July meeting. The board voted to reject the other remaining application for a 300-student high school in Natchez, […]
Two More Jackson Charter Schools Under Consideration Read More »
RePublic Schools has applied to open an additional two charter schools in Jackson. RePublic’s Reimagine Prep will open in August 2015 as Mississippi’s first charter school. The proposed elementary and middle schools would share a campus in North Central Jackson. At its June meeting, the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board also moved forward an application from Phoenix Early College
Jackson, Natchez Charter Applications Advance Read More »
At its April 6 meeting, the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board approved the 2015 request for proposals (RFP) for charter schools planning to open in the fall of 2016 or thereafter. The timeline for the 2015 application cycle includes an informational webinar in mid-April and deadlines of May 5 for applicants to submit a letter of intent
2015 Charter School RFP, Board Strategic Plan Approved Read More »
The board’s measured approach to approving new charter schools can be attributed in large part to Mississippi’s high standards for charter operators. With a high bar for both quality and fidelity to statute, Mississippi is on a path to ensuring that only the best charter schools are allowed to serve our children. The strength of our
Mississippi Ranked 3rd for Charter Policies Read More »
The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board today approved the state’s second charter school, Midtown Public Charter School in Jackson, citing the proposal’s strength in community partnerships, its organizational infrastructure plans, and an instructional program modeled on a highly successful Massachusetts charter school system. A proposal for Inspire Charter School in Columbus was denied, based on inadequacies
Midtown Public Charter School Approved Read More »
Charter school proposals will be vetted in public hearings prior to final decisions by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board. Applicants seeking to establish Inspire Charter School in Columbus will present their proposal and receive public comments on Monday, November 17, at 5:30 p.m. in the offices of the Columbus Coalition for Educational Options, 1820
Public Hearings Set for Columbus, Jackson Applicants Read More »
Prior to the Great Recession, 2008 was the high-water mark for state funding. That was also the last year that Mississippi’s public schools were fully funded according to state law through the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP). Comparing FY2008 to FY2015 A comparison of the Fiscal Year 2015 (FY2015) state budget to the FY2008 budget casts
School Funding and the State Budget, FY2008 vs. FY2015 Read More »
Two applicants have advanced to the final round of consideration for new charter schools. The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board will vote at its December 5 meeting to accept or reject proposals for Inspire Charter School, grades K-5 in Columbus, and Midtown Public Charter School, grades 5-8 in Jackson. Out of the 10 letters of intent received from potential
Two Charter Applicants Move to Final Round Read More »
Significant improvement in national achievement rankings will be attained only when all Mississippi children have access to a broad selection of rigorous and rich course offerings, highly-effective, well-trained teachers, and reasonable class sizes that afford them the individualized instruction they require. Adequate funding is essential to this process. Below are some concrete examples of the
Adequate Funding Essential to Making Mississippi Students Competitive Read More »
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a corporate bill mill that is funded by large for-profit corporations that seek to profit from taxpayer dollars. Education funding is one of ALEC’s favorite targets. The wealthy corporate execs that run ALEC court state legislators to join their group. They donate to political campaigns and treat these elected
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Read More »
