Mississippi's School Choice Debate: Balancing Freedom and Funding
Mississippi lawmakers are diving deep into the school choice discussion, aiming to draft legislation that could reshape education funding in the state.
Key Players and Objectives
The Mississippi House Select Committee on Education Freedom, led by House Speaker Jason White and co-chaired by Reps. Rob Roberson and Jansen Owen, is exploring ways to allow government funding for private or religious schools.
This idea, known as school choice, is gaining traction across the U.S., with 18 states already implementing universal school choice programs.
Concerns and Debates
The committee recently heard from Barrett Donahoe, executive director of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools, who supports school choice but raised concerns about potential state mandates.
Key Points from Donahoe:
- Accepting public funds could force private schools to lower admission standards.
- Could compromise curriculum freedom and dilute faith-based missions.
- Public school accountability models, like standardized testing, could stifle innovation.
Lawmakers' Responses
Lawmakers had tough questions for Donahoe, with Rep. Greg Holloway pointing out the contradiction in accepting funding without adhering to the requirements.
Donahoe defended his position, citing the success of independent schools in terms of graduation rates and college attendance.
He also addressed concerns about Christian schools receiving government funding, clarifying that while the schools integrate a Christian worldview, students do not need to be Christian to attend.
Legal Precedents
This debate isn't new for the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools. Earlier this year, they were involved in a legal battle over federal funding, which the Mississippi Supreme Court ultimately ruled in their favor.
The court decided that $10 million in federal pandemic relief funds could be allocated to the association for infrastructure projects, as it did not violate the state constitution.
Future Steps
As the 2026 legislative session approaches, the committee plans to hold more meetings and hearings to finalize their bill.
The goal is to find a balance between providing educational freedom and ensuring accountability.