MAE 2024 Legislative Priorities
Raise Our Students. Raise Our Economy. Raise Mississippi.
Stronger Schools. Stronger Mississippi.
VISION STATEMENT
To support educators in uplifting their voices, experiences, and civic power to help guide local and state decision-making for the benefit of our students and public schools.
FULLY FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY BY REIMAGINING THE FUNDING FORMULA
Establish the true cost of providing every student and educator with the resources needed to receive and provide a high-quality, 21st-century education in our public schools during 2024 and for years to come.
Begin implementing a plan supporting every school district to fully utilize state funds in reaching the Raise Mississippi vision.
REJECT SCHOOL VOUCHERS THAT HURT OUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OUR STUDENTS
Voucher programs take our hard-earned tax dollars from our under-supported public schools and give those public dollars to unaccountable private schools.
Voucher programs particularly hurt our smaller, rural schools and their communities which rely on their public schools as hubs as they come together for community events, school plays, and Friday night football games.
Unlike public schools with public school boards, there is no accountability, no transparency, and no democracy when our tax dollars are given to private schools. Our public dollars should only fund public schools that serve and support all students and their communities.
ESTABLISH COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
A community school is at the center of the community. It brings together academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement under one roof, leading to improved learning, stronger families, and healthier communities.
Secure funding to support these innovative learning collaboratives.
Provide wraparound services in areas of the state most in need of additional support for their students.
UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN
Establish pre-k and kindergarten programs for every early education student in the state.
SUPPORT EDUCATOR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN RESIDENCY PROGRAMS, COMPETITIVE SUPPORTS, AND CONTRACT SECURITY
Invest in the teacher salary schedule to enable Mississippi teachers to be the best paid in the Southeast region by increasing state funding and local supplements.
Secure a living income for Education Support Professionals and school staff by establishing a minimum $15 per hour starting income.
Work to reduce out-of-pocket costs for healthcare plans, medical access, and classroom materials.
Expand the Winter-Reed Teacher Loan Repayment Program to include additional applications and more significant annual awards.
Establish a unified criterion for teacher contract renewal and standardized due process for teachers based upon years of service (i.e., five years, ten years, etc.) and other uniform performance measures.
Provide employment contracts for non-certified classroom personnel.
REVAMP MISSISSIPPI’S EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FROM TESTING TO LEARNING
The current reliance on high-stakes testing as a significant accountability measure harms the classroom environment and students' success.
Under the current system, educators are forced to teach to the test, and students are impacted by the pressures associated with testing periods.
A more comprehensive approach is warranted as we seek to provide students with the public education they need and deserve to be successful in a 21st-century economy.
INVEST IN SCHOOL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Expand the allotment of financial resources available to improve school infrastructure to ensure safe and strong schools.
Invest in expanding the availability and renewal of the resources most needed for our students and educators to succeed such as technology, textbooks, and art/music programs.
SET STATEWIDE TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE STANDARDS
Support school staff in receiving trauma-informed practices training continuously.
Require districts to develop trauma-informed practice plans that prioritize a whole-child approach in and out of the classroom.
