#NNPA BlackPress

Parents Want School Choice! Why Won’t Mississippi Deliver?

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – True equity means giving every child—regardless of income, race, or location—access to an education that fits their needs, not forcing them to settle for whatever system they are born into.

Published

11 months ago

November 17, 2025

BlackPressUSA.com

By Theresa A. Lucas

When it comes to education reform, Mississippi consistently ranks dead last—not for lack of passionate teachers or hopeful families, but because of a system that lags behind and remains resistant to change.

As Southern states like Florida, Arkansas, and Louisiana expand school choice options and empower parents to make decisions best suited for their children, Mississippi remains curiously stuck in neutral. The burning question we must ask ourselves is: why?

The National Momentum

In 2024, over 20 Southern and conservative-led states have aggressively pursued educational choice through charter school expansion, education savings accounts (ESAs), and voucher programs. According to a survey conducted by Morning Consult, approximately 72% of school parents support ESAs, 68% support vouchers, and 66% support charter schools. These policies have increased access to specialized education paths, accommodated diverse learning needs, and provided lifelines for families in underserved communities.

Mississippi doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. We can look to neighboring states for successful models. Florida’s school voucher program has helped thousands of low-income students access private education. Arkansas recently passed universal ESAs. Even Alabama, historically cautious in educational reform, has made strides in supporting school choice.

What Mississippians Actually Want

Mississippi, on the other hand, has kept its educational choices limited—especially for low-income, minority, and rural families. This has stifled educational innovation in the state, leaving many families feeling hopeless and frustrated, with limited power to advocate for their children.

It’s not that Mississippians don’t want better options. Time and again, they have proven they do. Parents across the state are expressing frustration about overcrowded classrooms, outdated curricula, and test scores that have remained stagnant for decades. Furthermore, standardized testing captures only a fraction of students’ true capabilities. Many families would gladly embrace charter schools, microschools, or homeschooling co-ops if given funding or legislative support. But the problem lies in the state’s hesitancy to disrupt the traditional public school system and create pathways for diverse education and learning environments.

To be clear, this isn’t an anti-public-school argument. Mississippi has many dedicated educators doing their best with limited resources. But we cannot ignore the truth: the one-size-fits-all model no longer serves the diverse needs of 21st-century learners. Children deserve more than a default system based on their ZIP code. Parents deserve more than waiting lists or underperforming districts as their only option.

So What’s Holding Us Back?

So why aren’t we seeing movement in Mississippi the way we are in states like Florida?

First, politics plays a significant role. Mississippi’s education policy is heavily influenced by entrenched interests—public school lobbying groups, teacher unions, and state departments that often resist changes shifting funds away from traditional systems.

There’s a fear that introducing alternatives like charter schools or ESAs would “drain” money from public schools. But here’s the reality: public school funding has continued to increase over the past decade even as more school choice programs have launched. School choice is not about draining; it’s about diversifying. Providing families with more choices doesn’t take away from public education—it raises the bar for all schools to perform better.

Second, there’s a lack of urgency among lawmakers. Despite the data, despite the national momentum for school choice, and despite the cries of frustrated parents, Mississippi legislators often approach education reform with caution, citing budget constraints or the need for “further study.” Meanwhile, students slip through the cracks every year, never tapping into their full educational potential.

Third, rural access is a genuine barrier. Many areas in Mississippi lack the infrastructure for charter schools or educational co-ops. That’s why innovative models—like virtual learning platforms, mobile tutoring services, or hybrid homeschool networks—should be explored. But again, this requires political will, forward-thinking leadership, and strategic investment.

The Path Forward

What’s stopping Mississippi? We need to join them. If we claim to care about educational equity and outcomes, we can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. True equity means giving every child—regardless of income, race, or location—access to an education that fits their needs, not forcing them to settle for whatever system they are born into.

Mississippi has the potential to lead, not follow. But first, we must recognize that parents are the primary stakeholders in their children’s education, not the bureaucracy. It’s time to stop fearing innovation and start embracing the idea that more choices can only make our state stronger.

Let’s give Mississippi’s children the freedom to thrive. Settling for less is no longer an option.

Theresa A. Lucas is a domestic engineer with ongoing experience in home education. She has traveled across state lines and overseas as a former military servicemember and currently resides in Mississippi, where she is a member of EdChoice’s Parent Corps. As an advocate for educational awareness, she knows firsthand the power of knowledge and strives to empower parents, children, and the family unit.

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

Published

3 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/l9Z571za5Gc

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

3 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

3 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.