Some top lawmakers in Mississippi’s Republican-controlled Legislature are prepared to make it easier for students to transfer between public schools but remain skeptical of sending more public money to private schools.
During the second week of Mississippi’s legislative session, key lawmakers were still assessing the appetite in their caucuses for what some call “school choice” bills. The term can refer to several different policies, including using taxpayer funds to pay for the private school tuition of students transferring from public schools.
Proponents argue parents should have greater autonomy over their children’s education, but some lawmakers still have unanswered questions about whether the policies would serve their intended purpose. Opponents say that taking money from public schools would add financial strain to a system that they argue has already been underfunded for decades…