May 24, 2012
"In Jackson, only 60 percent of kids make it out with a diploma, and far fewer leave ready for college work. But on occasion, a teacher can nurture a science scholar or even get a whole class to geek-out on grammar..."
James Meredith, who integrated the University of Mississippi in 1962, speaks to Teach For America—Delta’s new 2012 corps members about the need for reform in K-12 education.
Get to Know The Mississippi Delta
In 2011, the Mississippi Economic Council, the state’s chamber of commerce, presented “Blueprint Mississippi,” its report on increasing economic prosperity for all Mississippians. The MEC concluded that academic achievement is crucial to providing future economic opportunities for all state residents and suggested that 1,000 Teach For America and Mississippi Teacher Corps teachers and alumni serving in the state by 2015 would be vital to our students’ academic achievement. The governor’s office publicly supported the MEC report’s recommendation that the state contribute $12 million to the two programs, and together the governor and the legislature approved $6 million for Teach For America—the largest gift to the organization from any state.
In addition to funding, the legislature’s Education Committee vigorously debated charter school bills and other education reform issues during the 2012 legislative season. State and local newspapers printed article after article about education reform, and, in concert with similar efforts in Arkansas, our region seems ripe for policy change in the near future. With the MEC, the state legislature, Teach For America, and local leaders across the state focusing on academic achievement as the precursor to economic opportunity, Mississippi is galvanized to improve the educational opportunities for its children.
Over the next five years, the national spotlight for rural education reform could truly shine on the Delta, and Teach For America looks forward to playing a pivotal role alongside district, state, and community leaders, as well as students, in helping to effect these changes.
Region Timeline
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Civil Rights efforts are catalyzed into a national movement in Mississippi with the trial and subsequent acquittal of two white men accused of murdering Emmett Till, an African American boy who was visiting from Chicago.
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Fannie Lou Hamer, a native of Ruleville, MS, is named vice chair of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, a group that sought to challenge the unequal representation of African Americans in the Mississippi Democratic delegation at the national convention.
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In response to integration, many white families remove their children from public schools and enroll them in newly founded private academies. The academies and the public school system remain largely divided along racial lines to this day.
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Governor William Winter signs landmark legislation that makes public kindergarten available to all children in Mississippi.
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At the request of then Governor Bill Clinton, Teach For America begins its partnership with Arkansas Delta public schools and soon extends its partnership into Mississippi due to a critical need for highly qualified teachers.
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The Arkansas General Assembly passes its first piece of charter legislation. This initial law paves the way for the opening of KIPP Delta Public Schools in Helena, founded by Teach For America alum Scott Shirey.
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Mississippi native Jim Barksdale, former CEO of Netscape and AT&T, and former COO of FedEx, invests $100 million in the development of the Barksdale Reading Institute to significantly improve the reading skills of children across Mississippi.
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KIPP Delta College Preparatory School opens its doors to its first class of fifth graders. Every child in that first class graduates from KIPP Delta Collegiate High School in 2010 with admittance to a four-year college, proving that all children are capable of achieving at a high level.
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Along with other parents and community members, Cordina Barber organizes a district boycott in Sunflower County in response to the problems facing students. The State Superintendent’s Office reviews the district and finds it is out of compliance with the state’s accreditation standards. The superintendent is removed and the process of restoring the district begins.
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At the request of the Mississippi Economic Commission, Governor Phil Bryant and the Mississippi Legislature approve an increase in funding for Teach For America and the Mississippi Teacher Corps, a sign of the state’s commitment to supporting all avenues that provide students with excellent teachers.
Overheard
It's great to be a part of a group that's having such a tremendous impact on the Delta. The best part about this community, considering that I'm a native Mississippian, is seeing so many corps members that have chosen to stick around beyond their two-year commitments. Education is by far the most important issue here in Mississippi. None of our other problems (poverty, teen pregnancy, economic development, etc.) can be fixed without it.
Mississippi Delta Corps 2003
Press
April 19, 2012
"Teach for America (TFA) has been involved in the Mississippi Delta since 1991, and today at least 540 corps members are involved in the regions’ schools..."
February 1, 2011
"The fact that Teach For America is coming back to Delta State University, not one but three more years, is great news for our region..."
Teach For Us
June 14, 2012
"I’ve had the opportunity to work at the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) for the past two weeks as part of LEE’s Summer Fellowship program..."
May 25, 2012
"More and more, I feel finality doesn’t exist. Closure is a pipe dream..."
