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| | Changes to the PEF Board
Chair
Rebecca Montgomery
Mississippi Power
Manager, Community Affairs
Vice Chair
Gloria Harvey
AT&T
Manager, Regulatory and External Affairs
Member
Michael Callahan
Board of Directors
Electric Power Associations of MS
Executive Vice-President /CEO
Quick Links
Public Education Forum Board of Directors and Board of Governors
Public Education Forum Website
Mississippi Scholars Website
NOTE: You are receiving this Public Education Forum newsletter because you are a member of PEF or a member of the Mississippi Economic Council, have attended one of the many PEF or MEC meetings on education issues, or have been in contact with MEC.
Public Education Forum
of Mississippi
Vickie Powell
P.O. Box 23276
Jackson, MS 39225
Phone: 601-353-5488
Fax: 601-353-0247
www.publiceducationforum.org
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"Mississippi Scholars is an excellent program that enables students to challenge their minds at school, home, and their community while obtaining valuable information to achieve their goals."
- Jasmine Johnson, a 12th grader at Gentry High in Indianola
"Mississippi Scholars is a very beneficial program that I am elated to work with as a counselor. This program helps children to reach beyond their dreams and create great moments in education."
- Lora Dean, Counselor, Gentry High School in Indianola
EVENTS
From left: Bill McGrew, Vickie Powell, Gloria Johnson, and Kenny Goza
State Scholars Initiative National Summit on Academic Rigor and Relevance
The State Scholars Initiative held a National Summit on Academic Rigor and Relevance in April in Boston. The summit was twofold:
1. To examine the role and effectiveness of the business community in driving national education reform conversations.
2. To discuss policy reform efforts to increase academic rigor and to improve academic relevance in high school.
The MS team members for the Summit:
Kenny Goza, Entergy - Mississippi Scholars Coordinator, Brookhaven Lincoln County
Gloria Johnson, Entergy - Past Chair, Public Education Forum
Bill McGrew, MS Department of Education, Division Director, Division of Curriculum Development and Program Coordinator
Sessions during Summit:
"Myth or Reality? Serious Questions About Rigor & Relevance"
"50 Years After A Nation at Risk"
"The Importance of Math and Science for Students, Educators, and Businesses"
"Multiple Pathways to Rigor and Relevance"
"An Agenda for Reform and Promising Practices"
The Columbia Group - Spring 2008 Meeting
Chattanooga, TN
The spring session of the Columbia Group meeting included both a regular Columbia Group meeting and a visit to see and hear about the reform work underway in Chattanooga's Hamilton County Department of Education. The reform is a collaboration of the district with the Public Education Foundation, several local and national funders, the university, and other community partners. It is also informed by the work of Corbett and Wilson, a national evaluation team. In addition, Dr. Sara Watson joined the group by conference call to talk about the Partnership for America's Economic Success, which was created in 2006 by a group of funders, business leaders, economists, policy experts and advocates to determine the economic impacts to the nation.
A letter to seniors
As a member of the Public Education Forum Board of Governors, I want to commend the 2008 High School Seniors graduating as Mississippi Scholars. This is evidence of your hard work in a core course of study that prepares you for the next phase of your life.
I also commend Mary Snow, Chamber of Commerce member, who continues to ensure the 8th grade students in our County are informed on the lifetime advantages of completing this defined, rigorous academic course of study that prepares them for successful transition to college, vocational training, the military or industry. I encourage all incoming 9th graders in all of our schools to begin this next year to plan their course schedules to graduate prepared to face the challenges of a competitive job market. The Mississippi Scholars program course of study will prepare the students to succeed.
For more information about the Scholars program, visit www.mississippischolars.ms Betty Byrd
Noxapater, MS The Mississippi Scholars course of study gives students the foundation they need to succeed in a technical school, community college, university, the military or industry.
SAVE THE DATE! STAR 2009
Education Celebration
Set for
April 17, 2009
The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, now in its 43rd year, is conducted by the Mississippi Economic Council's M. B. Swayze Educational Foundation. Next year's program will be held on April 17th on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton.
Mississippi Scholars Mission To encourage and motivate all high school students to complete a defined, rigorous academic course of study that prepares them for successful transition to college or university coursework or vocational and technical training necessary to enter today's competitive job market.
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| | Letter from the Chair
Dear Friend,
The Public Education Forum is dedicated to improving education in the state. We strive to ensure all Mississippians receive a superior education that empowers them to be productive and self-sustaining citizens. This mission is accomplished through partnerships and collaboration among all the shareholders in our state. These relationships are essential for the future of OUR state and YOUR community.
We are poised at this time in our state to change the future of our economy by investing in education just as a shareholder invests in a corporation. When making an investment, one expects a return on the outlay of funds. Increased performance, greater reliability and improved reputation all lead to greater profits and higher dividends. How can we, as citizens of our great state, invest in education and accomplish a future that projects a growing and strengthening economy? The answer is based on where we are today.
During the 2006-07 school year, per pupil expenditures were at an all-time high of about $7,800 per student. This is a 22% increase since 2004, as state support for our K-12 schools has increased $323 million, or 19%, during this same period. The investment of state tax dollars in educational spending is at the greatest level to date and accounts for 62% of the General Fund. For FY 2009, state spending on K-12 is $2.5 billion.
The investments of time and money by community and business leaders in their local school districts in programs that will lead to a more qualified workforce are greater than ever before. Mississippi Scholars is an example of a highly successful initiative that places local business leaders in the classrooms to encourage and challenge students to complete more rigorous academic courses in high school. This year, approximately 3,000 students graduated as Mississippi Scholars compared to 2,200 in 2007.
Legislative initiatives supporting our most veteran teachers by extending annual salary increases and requiring greater accountability for all districts and superintendents passed this session when they previously failed. (SB 2176, SB 2149, and SB 2405)
Over 2,000 people attended the "On The Bus" rally at the First Baptist Church in Jackson in February to address the dropout issue plaguing our state. The campaign is funded through partnerships and a $1.5 million donation from State Farm Insurance.
"Education Week" is a well-respected publication with articles that are based on valid research. An independent assessment of graduation rates for any school district can be accessed at http://maps.edweek.org/
This is where we are, now where are we going? The Mississippi Department of Education and the State Board of Education have two bold objectives for our future:
- Reduce the dropout rate by 50% in the next 5-7 years.
- Reach the national average on national assessments in the next 5-7 years.
If we, as business community leaders and elected officials, continue to invest in education just as shareholders invest in corporations, we WILL realize a return on that investment. We will have a strong business climate based on high value, as well as a qualified and well-trained workforce with lower costs than other parts of the country. Well-trained high school, community college and university graduates will result in adults who are better able to secure a financial future for their families. Increased wages and greater economic future for families reduces social problems such as crime, drug abuse, gangs, reliance on transfer payments and family breakups. As business and community leaders, we are faced with a question: Can we afford to invest our financial and human resources in public education? Perhaps the better question is: Can we afford NOT to? Prevention of any problem is always cheaper than the treatment. If we do not invest now, we will pay later. Becky Montgomery
Chair, Public Education Forum
Getting On The Bus:
An update on dropout prevention
State Superintendent Dr. Hank Bounds was presented with an "On The Bus" guitar from Peavey Electronics during the Mississippi Economic Council's Annual Meeting on May 7. Mary Peavey said everytime an "On The Bus" guitar is purchased, $400 will be donated to the Mississippi After School Alliance. State Farm Insurance has donated $1.5 million to the campaign aimed at reducing Mississippi's dropout rate by 50 percent in 5-7 years. From left: Mike Hernandez of State Farm Insurance, Mary Peavey of Peavey Electronics and Dr. Hank Bounds.
State Superintendent delivers
progress report on dropouts
There were 187 more graduates in the Class of 2007 than in the Class of 2006, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Hank M. Bounds announced at a press conference held June 11 in Jackson.
“With an average $286,350 more earning potential over their lifetimes than high school dropouts, these students represent a $53,547,450 return on our investment,” said Dr. Bounds. “That’s almost $54 million more that will be going into Mississippi’s economy.” For more, visit www.publiceducationforum.org
Top 3 STAR Students Announced at Education Celebration
From left: Third Place winner Zachary Branson of Madison Central High School; Second Place winner Kathryn Maxwell of Saltillo High School; and First Place winner Bowen Zhou of Jackson Academy.
On April 11, 2008, the Mississippi Economic Council along with the M.B. Swayze Educational Foundation at the Education Celebration announced three high school seniors were named in the Top 3 students in Mississippi and received scholarships. They are: Jackson Academy's Bowen Zhou, who received a $24,000 scholarship, Saltillo High's Kathryn Maxwell, who received a $20,000 scholarship, and Madison Central's Zachary Branson, who received a $16,000 scholarship. All scholarship money is provided by the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation. For 42 years, the Mississippi Economic Council’s Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program has saluted the academic achievements of the state’s outstanding high school students and teachers.
This year, more than 1000 students, teachers, school administrators, and special guests took part in the 18th annual Education Celebration, which was held on April 11, 2008, on the campus of Mississippi College - the most prestigious educational recognition program in the state.
STAR Students are seniors with the highest ACT scores (minimum 25) and scholastic averages (minimum 93) in their high schools. They are chosen from more than 300 public, private, and parochial schools. STAR scholarships are provided through a grant from the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Special thanks goes to STAR's Major Sponsors: AT&T, BancorpSouth, Entergy, Mississippi Power and Trustmark.
Scholars Kossuth High School
These Mississippi Scholars from Kossuth High School each received $500 scholarships from CARE Community Foundation. Awards Day at Kossuth High School was May 7, 2008. The winners are Dani Wood, Nicole Holloway, Lacona Edgar and Donnie Jones.
Choctaw Central High School
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Choctaw Central High School Academics Awards Banquet was held on April 24th. This year, over 22 students graduated as Mississippi Scholars.
What's happening in
Laurel and Jones County?
Laurel and Jones County is really experiencing great success with the MS Scholars program. We are in our fourth year and each year the numbers of students graduating as MS Scholars has increased. Laurel and Jones County has 589 graduating seniors with 226 graduating as a MS Scholar. West Jones High School in Jones County has 55% of the senior class graduating as MS Scholars. West Jones High School has 206 graduating seniors with 114 graduating as MS Scholars. They are to be commended for their hard work over the past four years. We are proud of all our MS Scholars in Laurel and Jones County.
The MS Scholars program has helped improve student discipline, student self-esteem, and dedication to educational goals. The students also have renewed optimism about life and their possibilities for the future.
AEE encourages interaction between educators, businesses, and the community. This year, we had 17 businesses participating in the MS Scholars program. Their dedication to this program is overwhelming. The need for education improvement, reform and advocacy is ongoing. When students aim for their full potential, there will be a subsequent reflection shown in the classroom, businesses, and community. The MS Scholars program is a way to accomplish all of these things.
Submitted by Katie Collins, Executive Director
Association for Excellence in Education (AEE)
Greater Starkville Development Partnership Honors Mississippi Scholars Graduates from Starkville High School
Mississippi Scholars graduates from Starkville High School were honored recently at the Scholarship Awards Day. Pictured here are (from left to right) Sulagna Saha, Janeth Buza, Sam Carmichael, Ashleigh Miller, David Ansel, Camille Watts and Tibor Pechan. Not pictured is Austin Sharp. The GSDP, the local Chamber, and the Starkville School District partnered at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year to implement the Mississippi Scholars program.
21 graduate from West Point High School as MS Scholars
Mayor Scott Ross, sponsored an Awards Program at City Hall on May 15th to recognize graduates from West Point High School. During the Awards Program, MS Scholars graduates Martin Edwards and Aaron Salmon each received $250 scholarships from Southern Ionics. This year, 21 students from West Point High School graduated as MS Scholars compared to 2 in the 2006-2007 school year. West Point School District initiated the program in 2006-07 by joining with the Mississippi Public Education Forum to train business presenters to go into classrooms and present the program. The response from students has been overwhelming. Claire Craig is coordinator for MS Scholars in West Point.
Congratulations on your retirement, Clair Craig!
Claire Craig is coordinator MS Scholars in West Point.
What is the Value of Mississippi Scholars?
In Lincoln County, the focus of the Mississippi Scholars program is a personal investment into the lives of our students. This is not just another program! Since its beginning our primary focus has been on the benefits to our students and our community. After 4 years of participation in the MS Scholars program, 2008 proved to be our most successful year to date. This is a result of the strong investment from our community volunteers and our local educational administration. Each year our goal is to evaluate and enhance our efforts to honor our scholar graduates. Our investment this year resulted in an increase in the number of scholar graduates from 29 students in 2005 to 165 scholar graduates this year. As a result of our partnership with our local business community, private individuals and institutions of higher learning we were able to award scholarships to 34 students for a combined total of $38,500 at our awards banquet this year. Hopefully through our efforts this investment will result in creating a better prepared workforce, a better community and a better State! As someone once said, "You never lose what you give away". We give our time, talents and treasures to make an investment into the lives of these students which we believe will reap abundant dividends - the value of which is IMMEASURABLE! Submitted by:
Kenny Goza, Chairman
Lincoln County Mississippi Scholars Program
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