Education

Jackson Schools Can Start Clearing Accreditation Standards in the New Year

Jackson Public Schools can start clearing accreditation standard violations as early as January. William Merritt, the executive director of school improvement, told the school board at its last December meeting that the board needs to get the new JPS corrective action plan to the Commission on School Accreditation by Jan. 16, 2018.

Jackson Schools Open Friday to Meet State Accreditation Standards

Jackson Public Schools teachers and students were supposed to be off Friday, Dec 22, but now must go in for a "60 percent" school day (a little longer than half the day) after the district canceled school to make up for the snow day on Dec. 8.

Taking Responsibility in West Jackson

Civil-rights veteran John Perkins and his wife, Vera Mae, founded Voice of Calvary Ministries in 1975. The mission-driven Christian organization renovates homes and helps low-income families purchase them through financial literacy courses.

JPS Listening Sessions Bring Out Concerns, Aspirations and Community

Parents, students, teachers and other concerned Jacksonians packed into City Hall on Thursday night to participate in the last of several citywide listening sessions this week about the Jackson's public school system.

UMMC New Pediatric Unit, Woodward Hines and USM Polymer Research

Dave O'Donnell, executive vice president of Washington, D.C.-based mechanical contracting firm Bowers Group, recently donated $1 million to the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Campaign for Children's of Mississippi after he and his wife, Priscilla O'Donnell, toured Batson Children's Hospital earlier this year.

UPDATED: Jackson Schools Not Part of New Achievement School District

Jackson Public Schools will not be a part of the state's new Achievement School District.

OPINION: JPS: The Future of the World

I recently walked into the asthma and allergy clinic to get my monthly allergy shot. I slid my ID card through the slot and waited. The only other patient, an older white woman, struck up a conversation. After the initial pleasantries, she asked, "What school do you go to?"

EDITORIAL: Legislature Needs to Address Teacher Shortages

Technically, if districts on probation due to a lack of licensed staff can't come up with certified staff by next July, they could be in danger of losing their accreditation, and they means a state takeover. It is time to look at solutions beyond takeovers to address teacher shortages, however.

JROTC Preps Students for College, Life

Willie Day, a senior at Callaway High School, just got his acceptance letter in the mail. "I think I'm going to Hinds Community College. I'm going for graphic design," he said.

A ‘Serious, Serious’ Teacher Shortage

Jackson Public Schools needs certified teachers—fast. The state's second-largest district is on probation for violating 24 accreditation standards, despite averting a state takeover this fall.

New JPS Board Inspects Contracts, Demands Data and Accountability

The atmosphere got tense in the Jackson Public Schools boardroom on Tuesday night as board members drilled question after question at contractors helping the school district with its corrective action plan.

JPS Commission Announces Community Listening Sessions

The Better Together Commission, made up of 15 stakeholders, released a schedule of listening sessions throughout the city of Jackson for next week.

UPDATED: The Fallout of the Ayers Settlement

Three of Mississippi's historically black colleges and universities—Alcorn State, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State—had a lot to gain back in 1975 when Jake Ayers filed a lawsuit against the state in order to improve academic programs and facilities at the state's three public HBCUs.

JPS Better Together Commission Will Secure Contractor This Month

The Better Together Commission will issue a request for proposal today in its search for an independent contractor to study Jackson Public Schools for about 10 months in 2018.

"For My People" Anniversary and LEAD Awards at JSU, New Chairwoman of Pediatrics and Children's Tower at UMMC

On Friday, Dec. 1, the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University will host an event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publication of Margaret Walker's first book of poetry, "For My People," at 1 p.m. in JSU's Student Center Theater.

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