CHARTER SCHOOLS FILM SCREENING

WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PHIL BRYANT

WHAT: Charter Schools Film Screening

WHY: To demonstrate the desire of Mississippi parents, teachers, pastors, and students to have more public school options

WHEN: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 6PM

Doors will open @ 5:30PM

Refreshments will be served.

WHERE: McCravey-Triplett Student Center at Belhaven University in Jackson

Seating is limited. Please call 601-969-1300 to reserve your seat.

Will broadcast live online at USTREAM.tv

This year, it appears the legislature is going to address the need for charter public schools in Mississippi. But there is a lot of misinformation floating around. To help answer questions and to help parents and educators make the most informed decisions possible, Mississippi Center for Public Policy is hosting a special screening of their short film, A Stone’s Throw, at the McCravey-Triplett Student Center at Belhaven University in Jackson on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 6:00PM.

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.

Lt. Governor Phil Bryant will be speaking at the screening and there will be a question and answer session following the movie. The event will be broadcast live online for parents and other individuals unable to attend the screening.

Mississippi Center for Public Policy President Forest Thigpen stated: “Some have said that there is no evidence that charter schools perform better than traditional public schools. That’s just not true. Studies by Harvard professors and others have found plenty of places where charter schools have outperformed the traditional schools near them. What is true is that not all charter schools are successful. Of course, neither are all traditional public schools. What is the difference? When a traditional school fails, it gets more money from the state. When a charter school fails, it closes. Now, that is accountability.



Charter schools are public schools that are created to meet students’ educational needs in unique ways. Charter public schools are given freedom from some rules and regulations that traditional public schools have to follow, and in return for that freedom, they are held to a higher level of accountability.

To learn more about charter schools or this event go to ParentPower.net or call Mississippi Center for Public Policy at 601-969-1300.