Education

Getting to the Cause of School Brawls

Dr. Cedrick Gray, the Jackson Public Schools superintendent, promises to punish any and all students who violated district rules during a recent outbreak of fighting—as well as social-media promotion of those fights—at William B. Murrah High School.

Aligning Behind JPS

Shortly after Cedrick Gray wrapped up his Thursday evening press conference, in which he discussed fights at William B. Murrah High School last week, the assembled media hastily packed up their cameras and microphones and silently filed out of the auditorium at Siwell Middle School.

Application Released for Miss. Charter Schools

Groups seeking to establish a charter school in Mississippi have until March 14 to submit their applications, though officials may continue to fine-tune the application forms.

JPS Superintendent Debunks Fight Myths

After students at Murrah High School used social-media tools to brag about—and in some cases embellish—several fights this week, Jackson Public Schools officials are urging parents to be vigilant about what their children are posting and viewing on the Web and their smartphones.

JPS Responds to Murrah Fights, Rumors

Rumors about a planned shootout at Murrah High School that originated between students on social media and escalated when local news organizations began reporting them "turned out to be largely a non-event that incited students and parents unnecessarily," Jackson Public Schools officials said this morning.

Miss. Prepaid College Tuition Plan Future Unclear

It's still not clear whether Mississippi's prepaid college tuition plan will reopen for additional enrollments, or when that might happen.

Joyce Helmick: ‘Prove It’

Joyce Helmick has taught school for more than 37 years. In July, she took the leadership reins at the Mississippi Association of Educators, an organization that provides professional development for teachers, and represents their interests in the state Legislature and throughout the public- school system.

Test Takers Rush to Complete GED

Americans who passed part, but not all, of the GED test are rushing to finish the high school equivalency exam before a new version rolls out in January and their previous scores are wiped out. About 1 million people could be affected.

NASCAR, Math and Science Help Fuel Dreams

Mackena Bell's NASCAR Pro Series No. 21 car rolled into Jackson Thursday morning as part of the 2013 Fueling Your Dreams Tour to teach kids how the big business of pro racing is more about the people and the process than about just driving fast.

State Can Go Ahead with Leflore Schools' Takeover

The Leflore County school system will not be allowed to block the state from taking over.

Charter Schools Unlikely in Miss. for Fall 2014

It's unlikely that students will attend charter schools in Mississippi in August 2014.

Mississippi Public University Tuition Increases

Tuition and fees would rise at Mississippi's public universities in fall 2014 and fall 2015 if the College Board approves.

Strings in Schools is Worth Saving

It has become an all-too familiar tune: In the midst of shrinking budgets, creative services are first on the chopping block. In business organizations, that often means scaling back marketing and advertising budgets. For school districts, it's arts education.

JPS Strings Program in Jeopardy

A partnership between the school district and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Strings in the Schools offers free music instruction for students as young as 5 at some schools all the way through high school.

Breaking Away: Top Public Universities Push for 'Autonomy' from States

Across the country, a small but growing number of public universities are looking to cut deals with state lawmakers that scale back direct oversight, often in return for less funding or for meeting certain performance targets.

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