In 2019, Mississippi First established our focus on improving Mississippi’s educator pipeline.
We have expanded our effort to focus on supporting and advocating for policy solutions
that will increase equitable access to quality teachers and leaders.
National research shows the most important in-school factor in a child’s education is the effectiveness of their classroom teacher. Current data show students in low-income schools are three times as likely to have an ineffective teacher as students in non-low-income schools. These statistics fueled our advocacy to ensure Mississippi kids have a chance to have access to quality education in Mississippi.
Our research started in 2019 with the Nothing in the Pipes: Educator Crisis in Mississippi report. We gathered and reviewed quantitative and qualitative data about the current pipeline in Mississippi, both pre-service and in-service, and it reviewed relevant national research, practices, and programs. Our key findings and policy recommendations were published in 2021.
We continue to lead the effort to ensure Mississippi kids have equitable access to quality teachers and leaders by supporting policies that support Mississippi teachers and leaders.
Latest News About Teachers and Leaders
- The Potential of Career Advancement Opportunities for TeachersEditor’s Note: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of posts dedicated to K-12 education policy in Mississippi. *** By Grace Breazeale I Director of Research and K-12 Policy The Potential … Read more
- What Factors Influence a Teacher’s Salary?
Editor’s Note: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of posts dedicated to K-12 education policy in Mississippi. *** By Grace Breazeale I K-12 Policy Associate In recent reports—including Falling Behind, … Read more - Students Deserve a Diverse Teacher Workforce
Editor’s Note: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of posts dedicated to K-12 education policy in Mississippi. *** By Grace Breazeale I K-12 Policy Associate A growing body of research … Read more
Our Research and Publications on Teachers and Leaders
Check out our Publications page to see our extensive research and reports on teachers and leaders in Mississippi.