LT GOVERNOR TO HOLD SECOND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MEETING
JACKSON – A childhood education expert will headline the second meeting of the Lt. Governor’s Working Group for Early Childhood Learning, a bi-partisan panel examining pre-kindergarten education programs.
Dr. Steve Suitts, vice president of the Southern Education Foundation, will present to Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant’s group on Wednesday. Suitts has published more than 100 books and scholarly articles. He has also conducted and published six studies of state-supported school programs in the South.
“I wanted an expert outside of Mississippi who could discuss what other states are doing and be able to show some tangible evidence of the potential success,” Bryant said. “Early childhood learning is something we have to continue working on and make sure we can measure its effectiveness.”
The group continues to look at early education programs to see if it can devise a plan for the state. It also looks at how the state should measure such things as school accountability and student achievement.
In other business at the Capitol, as the 2011 session approaches, much of the attention will be focused on education priorities in Mississippi.
Bryant said he strongly supports level funding for K-12 education for FY 2012.
“In the ongoing legislative budget hearings, I continue to push for the same amount of funding for K-12 that we have in the current fiscal year. I believe that our children deserve the very best we can provide them,” Bryant said.
The Lt. Gov. will also call for increased efficiency by combining school districts’ purchasing and human resources activities. This shared services initiative was introduced in the 2010 legislative session and is supported by the Governor Barbour’s Commission on Mississippi Educational Structure.
In other education improvements, the Lt. Gov. intends to introduce legislation reforming the Public Charter School law to encourage more choice, competition, and accountability in public education. Innovative learning, including skill-based education, is also one of Lt. Gov. Bryant’s top priorities.
The Lt. Gov.’s Working Group for Early Childhood Learning is scheduled to meet Wednesday, December 8th beginning at 2:30 p.m. in room 216 of the New Capitol. Other presenters include: Forest Thigpen, President of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, and Dr. Jill Dent, Director of Early Childhood Care and Development for the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
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12/7/10
Magnolia Tribune
