Mississippi News Nonprofit The Mississippi State Capitol was filled with bright yellow scarves as parents, students, and educators flocked to the Capitol Tuesday to celebrate “school Choice,” the idea that parents should have the right to choose where their children are educated. This event was part of the annual celebration of National School Choice Day, which is celebrated in all 50 states. The Mississippi Legislature has recently passed several laws to expand “school choice” in the state. Charter schools offer public education at no cost and more flexibility than traditional public schools. They are not subject to local school boards and do not operate under the control of a school district. Six charter schools are currently operating in Clarksdale and Jackson. The first charter school was opened in 2015. Another school is expected to open in Greenwood this summer. Mississippi has an Education Scholarship account program. This program was established in 2015 by the Legislature. It allows students with special needs to receive $6500 annually from the state for non-public schools. The scholarship allows families to pay tuition upfront and get reimbursed. Or, the Mississippi Department of Education can directly pay the school. Students with dyslexia can also benefit from a similar program. A legislative report was released in 2018 describing the program’s need for greater accountability. This year is the last year for the ESA program. If lawmakers don’t act to extend or expand it during the current legislative session, the program will be terminated. John Wells, a D’Iberville father whose daughter is part of the ESA program, is John Wells. He encouraged rally attendees to talk to their legislators about the program. Wells stated, “It will be up for a vote in the next session. We really want you to urge your leaders to continue and even expand this program. Because there is so much we can do with them.” “You know, it’s an amazing thing to have the ability to choose where your kids will go to school and how you live your family life.” This is the fifth year of the “school choice” event. Usually, public officials are involved. Former Gov. Former Gov. Phil Bryant, House Speaker Philip Gunn, and now Gov. In years past, Tate Reeves has each addressed the podium to support the program and similar efforts. However, no public officials spoke Tuesday. Reeves, who was lieutenant governor, was a strong supporter of “school choice” efforts and was present at the rally in years past. However, he was absent Tuesday. Reeves did support the State of the State address Monday night, telling the crowd that the “school choice” reforms “… have spoken for themselves. It is important that we do not allow those who want to undo the reforms that lift children up to be able to pass the law. Neither chamber has yet to address the matter. Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach, Education Committee Chairman, declined to consider a bill that would have extended this law into 2024. He told reporters that it was “bad policy to pass legislation beyond the term of the next administration.” The Senate’s new Education Committee Chairman is Sen. Dennis DeBar (R-Leaksville). He voted for the 2016 bill to update the eligibility requirements of the ESA program, but he also voted against another 2016 bill to expand the state’s charter school law. People who support the “school choice” movement are often called anti-public school. 2018 saw a lot of criticism from lawmakers for not enforcing a Capitol policy that denied public school advocates the right to hold a rally at the Capitol in the same way as the “school choice” event. Participants repeatedly stated that there was no animosity toward public school supporters on Tuesday. Cena Holifield is the executive director of the 3-D Schools in Petal and Ocean Springs. She stated that although we aren’t anti-public school people, they are pro-choice for the children to get what they need in the best environment for them. “That’s what school choice is. It’s freedom that comes with it. It also allows you to use your tax dollars more efficiently.” Grant Callen, president of Empower Mississippi is a “school choice advocacy group” that has been involved in many reform efforts over the years. He rebuffed the idea that the rally’s yellow scarves were “divisive” and a sign of disdain for traditional public school systems. Callen stated that this is not about one kind of education, but about making sure every child has access.