Quality Education
Every Child Deserves the Opportunity to Succeed
What is Education Freedom?
A quality education should open doors to opportunity.
That means empowering parents to make the best decisions for their children, giving educators the freedom to meet students’ needs, and creating more pathways for every child to learn, grow, and succeed.
One Size Doesn’t Fit Every Child
Every child learns differently, but families don’t always have access to the educational opportunities that best meet their child’s needs.
Where a family lives, what they can afford, or the options available in their community can determine the education a child receives.
Parents may find the right school or learning environment for their child, only to discover they can’t access it.
Mississippi can do better.
Practical Solutions for Mississippi Students
Expand Educational Options
Families should have access to more high-quality options and the freedom to choose the learning environment that works best for their child.
Empower Parents
Parents know their children best. They deserve meaningful choices and a voice in their child’s education.
Support Educators and Innovation
Teachers and school leaders should have the freedom to innovate, meet students’ needs, and focus on helping them succeed.
Prepare Students for Life
Education should prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in college, a career, and life.
Every Family Deserves Meaningful Choices
Every child is different, and families should have the freedom to choose the educational path that gives their child the best opportunity to succeed.
Mississippi has several education options, but access often depends on where a family lives, what they can afford, or whether their child qualifies for a limited program.
That’s the gap we’re working to close.
Public School Choice
Limited by Where You Live
Most Mississippi students attend a public school based on where they live. Transfers to other districts are restricted, and public charter schools are only available in a small number of communities.
What We’re Working Toward: Expanding open enrollment and access to high-quality charter schools so more families can choose the public school that works best for their child.
Private Education & Education Scholarship Accounts
Limited by Cost and Eligibility
Families can choose private education, but cost puts that option out of reach for many. Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) can help families pay for educational expenses, but Mississippi’s current program is limited to eligible students with special needs.
What We’re Working Toward: Expanding ESAs so more families have the resources and flexibility to choose an education that meets their child’s needs.
Options for Unique Learning Needs
Available to Eligible Students
Mississippi offers programs including the Special Needs ESA, Nate Rogers Scholarship, and Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship to help eligible students access specialized education. However, eligibility and availability remain limited.
What We’re Working Toward: Protecting and strengthening these programs while expanding access to educational opportunities that meet students’ individual needs.
Homeschooling & Innovative Education
Available, but Access Varies
Homeschooling gives families flexibility to personalize their child’s education, while growing models like microschools create new ways for students to learn. But these options may not be practical or available for every family.
What We’re Working Toward: Supporting educational innovation so more families have access to learning environments that work for their children.
Real Choice for Every Family
Education freedom should mean more than having options on paper.
A family’s choices shouldn’t be determined by their ZIP code, income, or eligibility for a limited program. We’re working to ensure more Mississippi families have meaningful access to an education that works for their child.
We don’t tell families which school to choose. We work to make sure they have a choice.
Voices of Education
Behind every policy are students, parents, and educators with real experiences. Hear from Mississippians about the challenges they’ve faced, the opportunities that made a difference, and what they want for the future of education.
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Community story
From a Mother’s Struggle to a Thriving Academy: The Story of Knox Academy
When Julie Gilliland first sat in doctors’ offices years ago, hearing predictions about her son John Knox, the words felt heavy and discouraging.
January 31, 2026 -
Community story
Unlimited Dreams Gives Laurel Students Another Education Option, Hope
Dr. Amanda Cooley set out on a mission to meet the education needs of the children in her hometown of Laurel, Mississippi.
January 27, 2025 -
Community story
Rocket Learning Launches New Education Option in Southwest Mississippi
Deep in the heart of Southwest Mississippi, in the sleepy community of Silver Creek, lies an innovative thriving new school founded by a veteran teacher who was looking for freedom in her own classroom.
September 9, 2024
The Latest on Education
Stay up to date on the ideas, policies, and conversations shaping education in Mississippi and the work underway to create more opportunity for every student.
- ArticleWhat I’m Looking for in Mississippi’s Next GovernorSeptember 8, 2026
- ArticleCharter Schools Outperform Districts on 3rd Grade Reading Test Initial ResultsJune 24, 2026
- ArticleEmpower MS Releases 2025 Impact ReportMarch 2, 2026