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Students sit on a storytime carpet smiling and listening to their teacher (not pictured)

Strong schools today mean a stronger Mississippi tomorrow.

Our Students Today, Our Workforce Tomorrow, Mississippians Forever

What is Raise Mississippi?

Raise Mississippi is a vision for strong public schools in every community across Mississippi to ensure our students today become the skilled workforce of tomorrow and remain lifelong Mississippians.  

Together we will realize this vision through the smart funding of our public schools which educate 90% of the state’s children. Smart funding will ensure every public school student has: 

  • Access to a broad range of in-school support that includes school nurses, librarians, counselors, art and music teachers, and support staff who help every student thrive. 
  • Classrooms equipped with up-to-date technology, books, and learning materials that prepare students to compete in a global economy. 
  • Nutritious meals and health services that enhance whole-student wellness.
  • Safe, clean, and modern school buildings. 
  • The best and brightest educators and school staff in every school, all of whom are paid a competitive, living wage.
Banner reading "Raise Our Students. Raise Our Economy. RAISE Mississippi"

How will we accomplish our goal?

Led by the Mississippi Association of Educators, Raise Mississippi’s mission has inspired a diverse group of partners—from educators, parents, and advocates to leaders of the business community—to join together for our students and our state.

The first step toward accomplishing smart funding for our schools is to uplift this vision and the positive impact that it will have on the 90% of Mississippi children who attend our public schools and the educators that support them. 

Raise Mississippi partners will be working to uplift the Raise Mississippi vision in targeted districts to maximize action by elected officials in the State Capitol. 

If you're not a member, join MAE!

Why join our efforts?

Raise Mississippi is about transforming the schools that impact every one of us – our public schools – by transforming how we fund them. Public schools help our children achieve their dreams. They impact us as parents and employers, as pastors and legislators, as community members and leaders They determine our state’s economic future and our quality of life as Mississippians.  

If you care about Mississippi today and what it can become tomorrow, you will support Raise Mississippi and its pursuit to impact our state through the heart of each community—our public schools.

MAE president Erica Jones headshot
Mississippi’s rise begins in our public schools, and stronger schools today mean a stronger Mississippi tomorrow.
Quote by: Erica Jones, MAE President
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Why does Raise Mississippi matter to you?

Our future workers, innovators, faith leaders, artists, authors, doctors and CEOs are in our classrooms today.

  • If you’re a parent, you know a great public school will make anything possible for your children.
  • If you own a business, public schools are producing your future workers.
  • If you’re in construction, public schools are building a bench of future craftsmen, talented workers who will build safe, modern, and up-to-code schools, hospitals, and other building important to thriving communities.
  • If you’re a policy maker or elected official worried about how many people are leaving the state, creating a shortage of workers and future leaders, you know strong schools are a critical component of attracting people to stay here to live and work in our state.
  • If you are a member of a faith community, you know our public schools are critical hubs in raising our children to be good citizens and community members.
  • And if you’re a student in a Mississippi public school . . . your future depends on Raising Mississippi to help you reach your full potential.
MAE President Erica Jones stands with MAE members to advocate for MS students.

How can you help Raise Mississippi?

  • Pledge to be a Raise Mississippi supporter!
  • Amplify Raise Mississippi messaging on social media and other user-specific channels.
  • Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors about Raise Mississippi and how we can transform our state through our public schools.
  • Help turn out the vote!
  • Sign up to stay connected!  

Social Graphics

Show your support for Raise Mississippi on Instagram with these graphics!
Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a parent and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"
Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a parent and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"

Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a business owner and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"
Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a business owner and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"

Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a faith leader, and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"
Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a faith leader, and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"

Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a teacher and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"
Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a teacher and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"

Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am an education support professional, and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"
Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am an education support professional, and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"

Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a aspiring educator and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"
Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a aspiring educator and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"

Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a student and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"
Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I am a student and I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"

Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I care about the future of Mississippi and that’s why I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"
Image is a green background with a centered light blue banner for Raise Mississippi that says "Raise Our Students, Raise Our Economy." Below that banner in all white sans-serif text, the image says, "I care about the future of Mississippi and that’s why I support Raise Mississippi." Below the green background there is a rainbow-colored 1bar with white sans-serif text that says, "Stronger Public Schools Today for a Stronger Mississippi"

RAISE MISSISSIPPI TOWNHALL EVENTS

Join a Raise Mississippi Townhall near you to share your vision for great public schools for all Mississippi children!

News

Image of Senator Derrick Simmons (D-Greenville) at a Raise Mississippi Event

Strong Schools Today Mean a Stronger Mississippi

The investments we make in our public schools today will determine the Mississippi we live in tomorrow.
Image is of the MAE Raise Mississippi Logo

Opinion | Fully Fund Our Public Schools First, Then Brag

As labor union leaders, we must stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the education field as they fight for better pay, equity in school resource materials, quality learning environments, quality leadership and not only adequate funding, but full funding for public schools.

We Encourage Lawmakers to Make Strong Public Schools A Number One Issue In January

As we embark on a new chapter and look ahead to the critical legislative session, we urge state leaders to remember their promise to prioritize our public schools as the key lever in shaping a prosperous future. With ninety percent of Mississippi children attending our public schools, the link between great schools, a robust economy, and an enhanced quality of life is undeniable.

Get More Raise Mississippi News!

Multiple students sit on a classroom rug listening to a teacher (not pictured). One student in the middle has a smile and bright, hopeful eyes.

Mississippi’s rise begins with us

Do you believe every Mississippi student deserves a great public school? Do you believe the strength of our public schools today will dictate the strength of Mississippi tomorrow?
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Advocating strong public schools for every student and every public school employee

Mississippi Association of Educators (MAE) represents thousands of Mississippians—educators, students, activists, workers, parents, neighbors, friends—who believe in opportunity for all students and in the power of public education to transform lives and create a more just and inclusive society.
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The Mississippi Association of Educators is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

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