Mississippi Cities Reject School Choice Amid State Expansion Push

School choice programs, which allow public funds to be used for private education options, are expanding across the Southeast, including proposals to extend these policies in Mississippi. However, experiences in neighboring states like Tennessee and Arkansas highlight challenges such as lower student performance in private voucher schools, rising costs, and budget shortfalls. Mississippi is also seeing growth in alternative education models like microschools, which offer personalized learning but raise concerns about funding and oversight. Meanwhile, several Mississippi cities, including Clinton, Pearl, Florence, and Jackson, have publicly opposed school choice resolutions, citing worries about diverting funds from public schools and the potential negative impact on communities. Supporters, such as conservative lawmakers and Governor Tate Reeves, argue that school choice meets parental demand and offers educational alternatives, while critics emphasize the risks to public education quality and funding. In Wyoming, a school-choice scholarship program remains blocked by the state Supreme Court over constitutional concerns, underscoring ongoing legal and policy debates nationwide.