Mississippi Center for Public Policy will host a special screening of the organization’s short film, A Stone’s Throw The screening will be held Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at McCravey-Triplett Student Center at Belhaven University in Jackson.

A Stone’s Throw is a short film which demonstrates the desire of Mississippi parents, teachers, pastors, and students to have more public school options. It also features two charter public schools - one that is located just a stone’s throw from Mississippi parents in Helena, Arkansas, and one that is just across the state line in Memphis, Tennessee. Their methods are different, but their results are the same - successful students, fulfilled teachers, and satisfied parents.

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Associated Press - February 9, 2010

A divided Mississippi Senate has passed a bill that would allow the widespread use of charter schools in the state.

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Clarion Ledger - February 9, 2010

Charter schools are publicly funded, but operate outside some of the rules and regulations for traditional schools.

Legislation that would allow for start-up charter schools or for converting failing schools to charters is alive in the Senate after at least 14 bills addressing charter schools have died in the House.

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The Weekly Northside Sun - January 14, 2010

Slowly but surely, momentum is building for Mississippi to get more aggressive in creating charter schools in areas where traditional public schools are not doing their job. Read More

Elizabeth Crisp • elizabeth.crisp@jackson.gannette.com • January 14, 2010
Three University of Mississippi students testified before the House Education Committee Wednesday to express their support for charter schools. More

Elizabeth Crisp • elizabeth.crisp@clarionledger.com • January 12, 2010

While some bills proposing school district consolidations and charter schools have been filed, the task force has taken no official stance. Read Article

By Elizabeth Crisp • elizabeth.crisp@clarionledger.com • January 11, 2010
Several parents and other interested parties addressed Mississippi’s Task Force on Underperforming Schools during a public hearing at the Capitol this afternoon. Read Article

Incoming superintendent eyes new takeover tactics

Bobby Harrison • Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal • December 30, 2009
Tom Burnham, who will take over for his second stint as superintendent of education in January, says lawmakers should consider allowing the state Board of Education to consolidate districts it takes over and to establish charter schools in those districts. Read More

The Wall Street Journal - December 9, 2009

Charter schools reached a new milestone this year. According to the Center for Education Reform, more than 5,000 charters are now operating in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Considering that the first charter didn’t open until 1992, and that these innovative schools have faced outright hostility from teachers unions and the education bureaucracy, their growth is a rare gleam of hope for American public schools. More

The Wall Street Journal - September 22, 2009

New York City students who win a lottery to enroll in charter schools outperform those who don’t win spots and go on to attend traditional schools, according to new research to be released Tuesday. Read Article