Public Education in Mississippi facts for kids

The education system in Mississippi helps kids learn from elementary school all the way through college. It includes public schools, private schools, and even special schools for different needs.

For a long time, Mississippi's education system faced challenges. In 2008, it was ranked last in academic achievement among U.S. states. However, things have changed a lot! By 2019, Mississippi made huge improvements in national tests for reading and math, almost catching up to other states.

Most schools in Mississippi are approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This means they meet high standards for teaching and learning.

Learning from Kindergarten to 12th Grade

Who Manages Mississippi Schools?

The Mississippi Department of Education helps run all the public schools in the state. It's overseen by the Mississippi Board of Education, which has nine members. These members choose the State Superintendent of Education, who is like the main boss for education in Mississippi.

The Governor of Mississippi picks five members for the Board of Education. These include people from different parts of the state, a school administrator, and a public school teacher. The Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives also pick two members each.

This board sets the rules for schools. They decide what students learn, how teachers are certified, and how schools are checked to make sure they are doing a good job. They want to make sure all students are ready for future jobs.

How Many Schools and Students?

Mississippi has 152 different school districts. These districts include 1,089 elementary and secondary schools.

About 491,962 students attend these schools, and there are 33,358 teachers. This means there are about 14.7 students for every teacher, which is a good ratio for learning!

Special Learning Programs

The Office of Vocational Education and Workforce Development helps students get ready for jobs. They offer programs that teach about different careers in business and industry. These programs are for middle school, high school, and even adults.

Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) is a TV and radio station that started in 1970. It reaches millions of homes in Mississippi. A big part of its TV and radio shows, about 40%, are made just for kids!

Unique Schools in Mississippi

Mississippi has some special schools for students with unique talents or needs:

• The Mississippi School for the Deaf is a special school in Jackson, Mississippi. It was founded in 1854 and helps students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) is for gifted high school students. It's located in Columbus, Mississippi at the Mississippi University for Women. Students from all over the state can apply to attend MSMS during their last two years of high school.

Colleges and Universities

After high school, students in Mississippi can choose from many colleges and universities. There are 15 public community colleges, 8 private colleges, and 9 public universities.

Most colleges look at scores from tests like the ACT and SAT when students apply. In 2010, almost all graduating seniors in Mississippi took the ACT. While the average score was lower than the national average, Mississippi was ranked 18th nationally for SAT scores.

Improving Education in Mississippi

The Mississippi Education Reform Act of 1982

In 1982, Mississippi passed a big law called the Mississippi Education Reform Act of 1982. The goal was to make schools better by improving leadership, helping teachers grow, and encouraging students to achieve more.

By 2002, this law had made a big difference. Leaders in education were chosen based on their skills, not politics. Many qualified teachers were hired. Schools started using a common curriculum, and students began scoring higher on tests.

Mississippi Adequate Education Program

The Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) was created in 1997. Its goal was to help all students succeed and make sure school districts had fair access to resources.

This program helps distribute money and resources equally to schools across the state. MAEP has helped build or improve over 9,000 school buildings!

No Child Left Behind Act

The No Child Left Behind Act was a national law signed in 2002. It asked states to test students in basic skills. If states met these standards, they would receive money from the federal government.

Mississippi adopted this law in 2003. Now, schools, districts, and the state get yearly "Report Cards" to show how well they are doing.