Issue Position: Strengthening Education

Issue Position

Mississippi made record investments in education spending and enacted reforms to save money, strengthen achievement, and clearly communicate school performance.

Reeves successfully advocated for more transparent school district ratings, which led to a new grading system for schools based on A, B, C, D and F.

The first steps toward school choice were taken with the creation of public charter schools and scholarships for students with special needs. Reeves fought to boost the state's literacy rate with legislation to end social promotion of students who cannot read at grade level.

After decades of legislators talking about school district consolidation, Reeves took action by pushing for administrative consolidation, significantly reducing the number of districts in Mississippi.

The Education Commission of the States awarded Mississippi the 2016 Frank Newman Award for State Innovation for these transformational reforms to improve student learning.

Source