Date:  Tuesday, February 21, 2012

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TATE REEVES ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL ACT OF 2012

The Mississippi Public Charter School Act of 2012 would allow the creation of charter schools in the 120 schools districts that are rated successful or worse.  A seven-member board appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor and state education officials would be created to approve or reject charter school applications in those 120 school districts.

In our school districts rated Star or High Performing, any charter school requests would first need approval from the local school board before being considered by the state authorizing board.

Some opponents of this reform measure are asking senators to change the bill to treat school districts rated “Successful” just like the bill treats those rated “Star” or “High Performing.”  The problem is that many of our schools located in “Successful” school districts are not succeeding academically.  In many cases even though school districts are considered “successful” they house schools that are on academic watch, low performing or failing.  In fact, five districts considered “successful” have schools with graduation rates below 60 percent; two are below 53%.

The bottom line is this – no matter where parents of Mississippi children live, they deserve to be able to get their kids out of failing schools.  They deserve a choice in where their children are educated.  All Mississippi children should be able to attend a public school that is effective.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL ACT OF 2012

Author: Education Chairman, Gray Tollison

Co-Author: Education Vice Chairman, Nancy Collins

Overview:  A charter school is a public school with no entrance requirements and no tuition. They operate under a contract that allows public schools freedom and flexibility in exchange for exceptional levels of results and accountability.  If they succeed, they can continue to operate; if they fail, their contract is revoked.  Parents have a choice as to whether or not they want to send their children to charter schools.  Students attending public charter schools must comply with provisions of the Mississippi compulsory school attendance law, meet health and safety standards, and adhere to state testing models, but the schools are not bound to state education regulations about curriculum, personnel, scheduling, and financial administration.  This legislation does not require the creation of charter schools; rather it allows for the creation of charter schools to create a different educational option for parents who can’t afford private school or who can’t afford to move into a better school district. 

There are TWO types of not-for-profit charter schools that are allowed in the bill:

• Conversion
• Start up

Authorizer/Board:

• The bill calls for one independent board with the power to accept or reject applications for charter schools and to renew or revoke charter contracts.
• The board make-up would be two appointments by the Governor, two appointments by the Lieutenant Governor, two appointment by the state superintendent of education, and one appointment by IHL.
• It will have an Executive Director (non-voting member).
• The State Department of Education shall assist in providing information and technical support related to implementing the charter school law.
• The authorizer/board gets 3% of the of state and local dollars (not federal) from the charter school in order to operate.

MS School district ratings according to the State Department of Education:

• Star (3%)
• High Performing (18%)
• Successful (33%)
• Academic Watch (28%)
• Low Performing (17%)
• Failing (1%)

Public charter schools would be allowed (but are not required) in any district in the state.  However, the local school boards of districts rated as "star" or "high performing" by the state Department of Education also would have to give a stamp of approval to any charter school seeking to open within those top districts.

The independent commission will have the authority to allow charter schools in the other districts rated as "successful," on "academic watch," or "low performing."

Being labeled as "successful" does not necessarily mean a district's schools are meeting the state minimum requirements. In reality, districts can earn the label of "successful" while housing schools that are "low performing," on "academic watch," or "failing."

MAEP/Funding aspects of the legislation:

• The federal, state and local funding follows the child
• Charter schools will have to certify the average daily attendance like traditional public schools since that number is part of the MAEP formula 
• Transportation will be provided (included in the MAEP money)
• Charter school can accept gifts because they are not-for-profit
• The bills says that if any charter school’s enrollment exceeds capacity, then a lottery will occur (not a reverse lottery)
• The bill prohibits conversion of private or parochial schools to public charter schools
• This bill repeals the Conversion Charter School Act of 2010 and the New Start School Program
• This bill does not include extracurricular activities and the bill does not expand the state retirement system.  Charter school employees will not participate in PERS.

Additional Information about the Charter Schools Bill:

• Parents should have a choice in the education of their children.  If parents aren’t happy with their local public school, charter schools will offer another option.
• The bill creates an independent commission that will either approve (or deny) only the best charter school operators with a proven track record of success. Board members will be appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Department of Education and the Institutions of Higher Learning.  If a charter school fails, its charter will be revoked.
• Public charter schools would be funded with existing dollars from the federal, state and local levels.  No new taxes would be added.  The funds within the current Mississippi Adequate Education Program would flow to the student’s school of choice.
• Public charter schools could be allowed in any district in the state.  However, the local school boards of districts rated as “star” or “high performing” by the state Department of Education also would have to give a stamp of approval to any charter school seeking to open within those top districts.
• The independent commission will have the authority to allow charter schools in the other districts rated as “successful,” on “academic watch,” or “low performing.” These districts contain too many struggling schools, and our parents and students deserve an alternative.

Successful schools: 

• Being labeled as “successful” does not mean a district is succeeding academically. 
• Districts can earn the label of “successful” while housing schools that are “low performing,” on “academic watch,” or “failing.” Some districts are comprised ONLY of schools that are not meeting state requirements for academics. 
• Twelve districts are labeled as “successful” while half or more of the schools in those districts are performing below successful. 
• Five districts rated as “successful” have schools with graduation rates below 60 percent; two are below 53 percent. 
• Just “successful” – or average – isn’t good enough any more.  If Mississippi is going to pull itself off the bottom of education rankings and attract higher-skilled, higher-paying jobs, we need to change our approach.  Charter schools are one tool that can help make a difference. 
• Our neighboring states (except for Alabama) allow charter schools.  Just 30 minutes from Clarksdale – in Helena, Arkansas – there is a KIPP school that has seen graduation rates and test scores rise.  These are kids from the same background as students in the Mississippi Delta. Our kids in Mississippi could see the same results and deserve a chance to succeed.

February 20, 2012

Too many Mississippi students are stuck in a school that is not working for them. Too many teens are giving up on an education and dropping out of school.

Too many parents are frustrated with the lack of options for their children.

It's time for Mississippi to rethink what is possible in public education. We need innovative ways to improve public school education in our state, and public charter schools are one way we can achieve our goals.

By allowing a choice, healthy competition will spur both traditional schools and charter schools to do their best to attract quality teachers and to better educate students.

This week, the state Senate will vote on allowing public charter schools in Mississippi. I would like to present the facts about this important legislation.

This bill creates an independent commission that will either approve or deny only the best charter school operators with a proven track record of success.

Appointees will be from the governor, lieutenant governor, Department of Education and the institutions of higher learning.

Public charter schools would be funded with existing dollars from the federal, state and local levels. No new taxes would be added.

The money within the current school funding formula -- the Mississippi Adequate Education Program -- would follow a student to his or her school of choice.

Public charter schools could be allowed (but would not be required) in any district in the state. However, the local school boards of districts rated as "star" or "high performing" by the state Department of Education also would have to give a stamp of approval to any charter school seeking to open within those top districts.

The independent commission will have the authority to allow charter schools in the other districts rated as "successful," on "academic watch" or "low performing." These districts contain too many struggling schools, and our parents and students deserve an alternative.

Let me be clear: Being labeled as "successful" does not necessarily mean a district's schools are meeting the state minimum requirements. In reality, districts can earn the label of "successful" while housing schools that are "low performing," on "academic watch" or "failing."

For example, the East Tallahatchie County School District is rated as "successful" despite its three schools being rated as "low performing" or on "academic watch." The McComb School District has three schools on "academic watch" although the district has been deemed "successful."

We cannot settle for simply successful districts producing average, or 

lower-than-average, results.

Mississippi is not entering new territory by allowing charter schools. Parents in New Orleans, Memphis and the Arkansas Delta have enjoyed a choice in their children's education for many years.

In fact, the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) school in Memphis recently announced plans to expand with a $3 million grant from an education fund. Now, that's real success.

Charter schools have the flexibility to meet the needs of today's families while being held accountable for improving student achievement. If they fail, their charters will be revoked.

Public charter schools are not the answer to all of our educational challenges. However, they do give parents a choice in their child's education.

A better education for our children provides a stronger foundation for a well-trained workforce to grow Mississippi, as careers demand high skills and technical knowledge.

Every child deserves that chance.

February 20, 2012

Senate Education Committee members today will take up a bill that would allow charter schools in all of the state's 152 school districts and create a board to authorize them.

The bill is expected to be voted on this week. Although Senate Bill 2401 is one of many proposals before the Legislature dealing with charter schools, this one has the support of Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves.

"It is my view that charter schools are not some panacea. They are not going to solve all of our educational challenges overnight," Reeves said during a news conference Monday afternoon. "They are simply another tool in the toolbox to improve the education attainment level in Mississippi."

Under Senate Bill 2401, charters would be authorized in the 120 districts rated successful or worse, by a seven-member board appointed by the governor and lieutenant governor, as well as state K-12 and higher education officials.

In the state's four star districts and 28 high performing districts, any charter school request would first go to the local school board for approval before going to the state authorizing agent for approval.

Senate Bill 2401 also would allow for virtual charter schools, permit students to cross district lines, and establish a first come, first served enrollment or a lottery if demand exceeded a school's capacity.

Those elements of the bill are being touted by some as a way of giving options other than poorly performing schools, while others say, if passed as is, Senate Bill 2401 could be disastrous.

Parents should have a choice, Reeves said. To have students trapped in poorly performing schools is "not a good way to do things," he said.

Charter schools are publicly funded and governed under a legislative contract or a charter with the state. The schools generally have more autonomy over day-to-day decisions than traditional schools but still must meet accountability standards or risk losing their charter.

When addressing state lawmakers about charter schools in Mississippi, other education and business leaders have said they want to see the state Department of Education as the only authorizing agent. They also have stressed the need for assurance that students won't be cherry-picked, with some even asking that parents be asked to opt-out if they don't want their child enrolled in a charter school.

Mississippi has no charter schools.

Like traditional public schools, charter schools have had mixed success.

Charter schools "can be a lifesaver for children who are trapped in persistently underperforming schools," Nancy Loome, executive director of The Parents' Campaign, said in an email. "Unfortunately, that is not the focus of the Senate's charter school bill."

The state does not have the funding available to pay for more schools, administrators and other overhead costs in districts already performing well, Loome said.

Allowing that addition, as Senate Bill 2401 does, "would be fiscally irresponsible, and it is surprising that this push for more schools is coming from the very leaders who are calling for the consolidation of our current schools," Loome said.

Instead, she said, the bill should target schools in underperforming districts.

Loome also questioned allowing tax dollars to follow students who cross district lines to enroll in charter schools.

"What they aren't telling you is that local tax dollars will follow children who have never been enrolled in the local public schools," Loome said.

Then, districts would see a decrease in funding but not enrollment, she said.

"This has the potential to devastate strong public school systems and their communities," Loome said. "It would dilute per student funding for every school district in the state."

The provision for virtual charter schools likely will be another sticking point.

"Anyone who has read the research on virtual charter schools should be appalled that our leaders would support allowing them into Mississippi," Loome said. Virtual charter schools are large, for-profit businesses and "are the worst performing of every sort of school," Loome said.

Reeves said the bill would require the public charter schools to be nonprofit organizations.

Reeves said the bar should be raised for Mississippi students. He said "successful" isn't good enough, and noted two of those districts have no schools rated successful or better, and in 12 districts the majority of schools have low ratings.

Some parents are hopeful for more K-12 options.

"I believe in school choice, and if I want to drive my child to Brandon, Madison, Pelahatchie, if that's my choice for my kids, I should be able to do so," said Mary Bishop of Raymond.

Bishop said she and her husband are spending about $7,500 a year to send their children to private school. Bishop said there was a sharp drop in the quality of her local middle and high schools.

The threat of losing money may drive school officials to provide better learning opportunities for students, she said.

When Karima Hawkins of Jackson sought to transfer her children to another better performing school, she found her options limited. Of her local middle and high schools, one of each is rated successful. She and her husband have considered home schooling their children.

"I really don't feel like any educator should give up on a child," Hawkins said, but that's what she thinks happened with her children.

"My heart just goes out for the children that are less fortunate because our schools are (not performing)," Hawkins said. "That says enough."

Charter schools are needed in Jackson and in the rural areas, she said.

Hawkins also questioned building more schools instead of converting existing ones to charter schools. That would probably be cheaper, she said.

February 1, 2012

From Special Reports

JACKSON — Charter schools. Combining services and purchasing between state agencies. Strengthening protection for children from sexual/physical abuse.

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves unveiled a legislative agenda that included initiatives that focused on fiscal management, education reform and strengthening laws that shield Mississippi's children.

"Through eliminating government waste, responsible spending and new, innovative approaches to education and protecting our families, Mississippi will be prepared to emerge from this national economic slowdown even stronger than before," Reeves said.

February 1, 2012

By Marsha Thompson

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Charter schools gained traction Wednesday as Lt. Governor Tate Reeves embraced the creation of these schools statewide.

Reeves, flanked by his committee chairmen, outlined five proposals included in his 2012 legislative agenda at the state capitol. Among them, significant school district consolidation. Reeves said, "The one item I think we should do quickly soon is the consolidation of the three school districts in Sunflower County into one. Currently Indianola, Drew and Sunflower districts are all under conservatorship."

Reeves also says he wants legislators to improve state finances by limiting long-term debt and by resuming the practice of putting two percent of state revenues into a rainy day fund.

February 1, 2012

By Geoff Pender

JACKSON -- Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves on Wednesday presented his legislative agenda, which he said marks a "renewed focus on efficiency in government."

Reeves said he will push for expanded charter schools in Mississippi to give parents more choice in their children's education. He said he supports consolidation in the state's 152-district public education system. He said he supports broad consolidation efforts, but wants to quickly see school districts combined in Sunflower County, where all three troubled districts are under state conservatorship.

Reeves said he would like to see reforms in state purchasing, allowing agencies to share services to get more buying power and reduce expenses. He said he would also push for the Legislature to follow its "2 percent rule," of setting aside 2 percent of revenue in a rainy-day fund.

Reeves said he wants to reduce the state's debt, issuing fewer bonds and requiring bond repayment for some programs to be applied to paying down the debt.

"For years, the Legislature has authorized bonds with little concern about how debt service would be paid," the former state treasurer said.

Reeves said he supports the proposed Child Protection Act and other measures to protect children in Mississippi. These include mandatory reporting of physical or sexual abuse of a minor within 48 hours of someone learning about it, especially when adults in positions of authority learn of it. He also supports a measure to require preservation of fetal tissue from abortions performed on minors, so authorities can investigate whether an adult has impregnated the minor. He wants a prohibition on anyone helping a minor get an abortion without consent from a parent or guardian.

Reeves said he supports transparency and openness in government. He has created a new Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee to "limit wasteful spending of tax dollars and communicate government decisions to the public."

"One way to achieve this is by adopting joint (legislative) rules that require greater transparency in proposed bills," Reeves said. "For instance, we believe that a strike-through font should be utilized to show any language that is being deleted from current law in a legislative bill."

Sen. Brice Wiggins, R-Pascagoula, was one of several of Reeves' leadership team who flanked the lieutenant governor at a press conference Wednesday.

"I think the lieutenant governor has set a dynamic agenda for this legislative session," Wiggins said. "I look forward to working with Lt. Gov. Reeves in carrying out his agenda while at the same time being cognizant of the issues facing my district."

Reeves Supports Charter Schools, Consolidation

February 1, 2012

By The Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. -- First-term Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves says he's supporting bills to create charter schools statewide and to require consolidation of three school districts in Sunflower County into one.

In announcing his 2012 legislative agenda Wednesday, Reeves mentioned many items he and other Republicans pushed during campaigns last year.

Reeves said he wants legislators to improve state finances by limiting long-term debt and by resuming the practice of putting 2 percent of state revenues into a rainy day fund.

He said he wants to put new regulations on the way the attorney general hires private lawyers to file lawsuits for the state.

He said he also supports proposals aimed at tracking information about adult males who impregnate underage girls.

Editorial:  Reeves sets tone for productive term

Mon., Jan. 9, 2012

NEMS Daily Journal Editorial

It's always encouraging when a politician does what he says he'll do, and newly inaugurated Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves followed through on a campaign promise last week when he announced his state Senate committee appointments.

Republicans now hold a solid 31-21 majority in that body, so a case could be made by partisans that the Republican Reeves should name all GOP committee chairs. That's the way it's done in Washington, after all. And four years ago when a Republican-propelled effort to oust Democrat Billy McCoy as House speaker fell just short, McCoy retaliated by shutting Republicans out of committee chairmanships.

But Reeves had pledged to appoint Democrats, as well as to be attuned to geographic, racial and gender diversity in his assignments, and he did that. Of the 39 committees in the Senate, 21 will be chaired by Republicans and 18 by Democrats.

Granted, the most powerful committees will be led by Republicans. Appropriations and Finance, the spending and taxing committees, Education, Public Health and Judiciary A all are prime appointments and they all went to Republican senators, which is hardly a surprise.

But Reeves named Democrats to several committees that are more than merely nominal chairmanships. He clearly intends to take advantage of the full range of knowledge and expertise in the Senate and, even more important, not to define the work of the Senate in a strictly partisan fashion.

The most significant committee chairmanship for a Northeast Mississippi senator went to Sen. Gray Tollison of Oxford, who will head Education. Tollison switched to the Republican Party after re-election as a Democrat last fall. For years he has been a staunch proponent of fully funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, and that isn't likely to change.

In addition to a bipartisan slate of committee assignments, Reeves last week urged a renewed commitment to education and work force training as the top priorities for creating a jobs-friendly environment and moving the state ahead.

This week, new House Speaker Philip Gunn of Clinton will announce his committee decisions. After an acrimonious four years of partisan division, Gunn could set the stage for a productive, cooperative term with his own inclusive appointments. His remarks after his election as speaker indicated a desire to see a new unity of purpose in the House.

For the first time since Reconstruction, Republicans control all of state government, but the new leadership can do the state a big favor by establishing a governing atmosphere that minimizes a lockstep partisan approach. Reeves' appointments last week were a good start.

Read more: djournal.com - OUR OPINION Reeves sets tone for productive term

Sat., Jan. 7, 2012

By The Associated Press

JACKSON — Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves reached across boundaries of party, geography and race on Friday as he announced Mississippi Senate committee assignments for the new four-year term.

While fellow Republicans will chair the two money committees and those overseeing schools, universities and public health, Democrats were given significant assignments, including leadership of panels responsible for highways and prisons. A Republican will chair one Judiciary committee, and a Democrat will chair the other.

“We need to move beyond our divisions of the past and recognize that the best legislation (that) is going to come out of this building to move Mississippi forward will be legislation that is passed in which every member has an opportunity for input, every single member,” said Reeves, who was elected statewide in November and was sworn in Thursday as presiding officer of the 52-member Senate.

The committee assignments are crucial because chairmen have the power to decide which bills advance or die.

Newly elected House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, said he hopes to release that chamber’s committee assignments by about Jan. 13.

Reeves, of Flowood, served two terms as state treasurer. He faced no Democratic opposition in the open race for lieutenant governor last year, but had a tough Republican primary against longtime Sen. Billy Hewes of Gulfport — a contest that divided many of the GOP senators.

Reeves chose two Republicans who supported him during the 2011 campaign to lead the money committees. Third-term Sen. Buck Clarke of Hollandale, who’s a certified public accountant, will be chairman of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee. Joey Fillingane of Sumrall, an attorney, will chair the Finance Committee, which handles taxes, fees and bond bills. Fillingane served in the House from 2000 to 2006 and has been in the Senate since 2007.

“They’re both quality, capable, competent people,” Reeves said.

Second-term Sen. Briggs Hopson, R-Vicksburg, will chair the Judiciary A Committee, and eighth-term Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, will chair Judiciary B Committee. Each is an attorney. The two committees handle a wide variety of bills, including changes to criminal laws and proposals to restrict abortion, immigration and other acts.

Five-term Sen. Gray Tollison of Oxford, who switched from Democrat to Republican after he was re-elected in November, will chair the Education Committee. Sixth-term Sen. Terry Burton, R-Newton, will chair the Universities and Colleges Committee.

Sixth-term Sen. Dean Kirby, R-Pearl, will chair the Public Health and Welfare Committee.

Third-term Sen. Merle Flowers, R-Southaven, was given one of the most contentious assignments, as chairman of the Legislative Reapportionment committee

“It means everyone’s going to hate my guts in about eight weeks,” Flowers said.

Legislators argued for weeks during the 2011 session about how to redraw the 122 state House districts and 52 Senate districts to account for population changes revealed by the 2010 Census. The session ended without agreement because Republican leaders of the Senate and Democratic leaders of the House disagreed on how much say each chamber should have in drawing the other’s districts. Republicans now control both chambers, having taken the House majority from Democrats in the November elections.

Six-term Sen. Sampson Jackson, D-Preston, will chair the Corrections Committee, and six-term Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, will head Highways and Transportation. They’re both members of the Legislative Black Caucus.

Nancy Loome, who lobbies for public education as leader of The Parents Campaign, said she’s satisfied with the committee assignments, particularly with Tollison as chairman of Education.

“He has a very balanced slate of chairmen,” Loome said.

Clarke said he will try to meet the deadlines for appropriations bills, which were repeatedly broken in recent years, and he expects help from the new Republican majority in the House.

Reeves’ appointments bipartisan

Sat., Jan. 7, 2012

By Bobby Harrison/NEMS Daily Journal

JACKSON - Sen. Gray Tollison, R-Oxford, who has served on the Education Committee for his entire career in the Mississippi Senate, is the new chair of the panel.

Tollison, who is beginning his fifth term, is among seven Northeast Mississippi senators named as committee chairs Friday by new Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves. The Republican Reeves' appointments included some Democrats.

"I am excited," Tollison said. "I have been on the committee for 16 years and was vice chair the last term. I am fully aware of the issues."

Tollison switched parties after his re-election as a Democrat in the November general election. He said Friday he'd received no assurances about committee appointments when he became a Republican.

In a news conference after announcing his appointments, Reeves said he fulfilled his campaign promise of being bipartisan and inclusive.

"I am very proud of the leadership team we have assembled," Reeves said in prepared remarks. "It's bipartisan, inclusive and represents all areas of the state."

Reeves named several Democratic chairs, including Hob Bryan, D-Amory, as head of the Judiciary B Committee. During the past four years under the tenure of Republican Phil Bryant as lieutenant governor, Bryan chaired the Public Health Committee, viewed as one of the three most powerful committees. But when Byrant named Bryan to chair Public Health in 2008, Democrats held a majority in the Senate.

Thanks to the November elections, Republicans now hold a 31-21 advantage - their largest since the 1800s. Reeves named Republicans to chair Public Health, Appropriations, Finance, Education and Judiciary A.

Reeves kept Gary Jackson, R-French Camp, as chair of Business and Financial Institutions; Nickey Browning, D-Pontotoc, as chair of County Affairs; and J.P. Wilemon, D-Belmont as Municipalities chair. Bennie Turner, D-West Point, was tapped to head the Ethics Committee.

"I haven't digested it all yet, but it looks encouraging, possibly better than I expected overall," said Turner, who chaired Constitution the past term. "... I hope it translates into policy."

Reeves said he believes the best legislation is developed when every member "has the opportunity for input" and said he believes his assignments accomplish that goal.

Reeves selected Nancy Collins, R-Tupelo, to head the Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee he created to look for ways to save state funds.

Collins, who is beginning her first full term after winning a special election in January 2011 to fill an unexpired term, said she did not ask to chair a committee, but told Reeves "to put me where he felt I would be best suited. I told him wherever that was I would be willing to work." She said she is especially enthused about being on Education and Public Health.

Russell Jolly, D-Houston, beginning his first full term, said he was pleased with his committee assignments, which included Transportation, Education, Corrections and County Affairs.

"I think (Reeves) did exactly what he said he would do - Democrats, Republicans. I think it was very fair," Jolly said.


Read more: djournal.com