National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Issues Statement Commending Move to Create High-Quality Public Charter Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C.-In response to the Mississippi legislatures vote to pass HB 369, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released the following statement from its president and CEO, Nina Rees:
“Today is a historic day for families and educators in Mississippi. Through bipartisan support in the legislature particularly the leadership from Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, Senate Education Committee Chairman Gray Tollison and House Education Committee Chairman John Moore Mississippi has established a solid foundation for creating autonomous, accountable public charter schools in the state.
“For the first time in the states history, HB 369 will allow start-up public charter schools. It also provides public charter schools with the flexibility to innovate, while ensuring that public charter schools will be held to a high standard of accountability for results. The bill also requires local, state and federal funding to follow a student that chooses to attend a public charter school.
“The forces protecting the status quo remain alive and well in the state and fought hard against a strong charter school bill. While we still have more work to do to improve the law, this bill is a major step forward for Mississippi, particularly for students in failing districts.
“This forward movement could not have happened without the collective efforts of our coalition of public charter school supporters, including Mississippi First, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, Better Education for Mississippi, the Mississippi Association of Realtors, the Mississippi Coalition for Public Charter Schools, the Black Alliance for Educational Options and the National Alliance.
“It also would not have occurred without the support of several lawmakers in the state, including Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, Senator Gray Tollison, Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn, Representative John Moore, Representative Charles Busby and Governor Phil Bryant. Because of their efforts, Mississippis families and educators will have access to more high-quality public school options and the overall public education system will be strengthened. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in Mississippi to ensure the law is implemented to create high-quality public charter schools and to further strengthen the law in the coming years.”
About the National Alliance
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the leading national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. Our mission is to lead public education to unprecedented levels of academic achievement by fostering a strong charter sector.
