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“I have really enjoyed PPS's training and what I have learned I can apply to my job. It helps me understand how to work effectively with parents. ”
-PPS PEP Graduate
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In Joann's notes

Open Letter to the MS Legislature

I sat quietly and listened during meetings of the Education Freedom Committee. I listened as the committee was being told by private school proponents that they had absolutely no plans to change anything about their requirements. In fact, the committee was told that it was fine for public schools to continue to adhere to the state’s accountability requirements but that should not be the case for other schools. One particular presenter stated that in the past they had not wanted to accept government dollars because they came with strings attached; however, in this new age of “universal vouchers” and school…
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In Publications

Impact Report 2024 -25

A Year of Change, Innovation, and Impact The 2024-2025 fiscal year was one of remarkable growth and achievement for Parents for Public Schools. Across the nation, our chapters and national office worked to strengthen family engagement, drive educational equity, and amplify parent voices as powerful advocates for public schools. From securing major grants that expanded parent leadership programs to launching statewide initiatives for systemic change, PPS remained steadfast in our mission: ensuring every child has access to a high-quality public education. Explore this year's Impact Report to see how we're turning vision into reality—one empowered family, one thriving school, and…
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In Press Release

PPS Announces 2025–2026 National Board of Directors

Jackson, MS – Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) proudly announces its 2025–2026 National Board of Directors, a dynamic group of leaders representing education, policy, law, healthcare, and community advocacy across the country. Together, they will guide the organization’s mission to strengthen public schools by engaging, educating, and mobilizing parents as active partners in their children’s education. Board members play a vital role in shaping PPS’s direction by setting goals, making policy, ensuring fiscal oversight, and championing the organization’s mission to promote quality public education for every child. Each member brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to supporting…
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In Joann's notes

Showing Up Matters: Student Attendance Is the Key to Stronger Schools and Brighter Futures

Attendance is more than just a daily headcount. It's a powerful predictor of student success. Unfortunately, since the pandemic, chronic absenteeism has surged to crisis levels, nearly doubling in many schools. While there have been signs of improvement, absence rates remain high, especially in high-poverty districts and among students of color. Each missed day of school is more than a lost lesson; it is a missed opportunity to learn, to connect with peers, and to build the skills students need for the classroom and their future careers. Student attendance rates not only play a significant role in student achievement but…
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In Press Release

Parents for Public Schools Welcomes New Project Manager for Mississippi

The National Office of Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is proud to announce the hiring of its new Project Manager for Mississippi, Chiquikta Fountain. Fountain returns to the National Office after her term as the Executive Director of Delta Hands for Hope.   Fountain's career spans nearly two decades in community and family engagement, education advocacy, and organizing, with leadership roles in organizations such as AmeriCorps, the Children’s Defense Fund (SPARK), and a six-year tenure at PPS as a Parent Coach prior to leading Delta Hands for Hope.   With her wealth of knowledge, dedication to equity, and commitment to empowering families…
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In Press Release

Jarred Gibson Takes on New Role as Director of Organizational Advancement

Jackson, MS – Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is excited to announce that Jarred Gibson has been appointed as the organization’s Director of Organizational Advancement. This is a newly created position for PPS and a new role for Jarred who previously served as the North Carolina Project Manager for PPS.   With nearly two decades of experience championing educational equity, Gibson brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for public education to this pivotal leadership role.  “PPS National had a need for someone to focus on the resources needed to further develop a network of public school advocates,” said…
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In Press Release

PPS Receives $150,000 Grant to Advance Educational Equity and Civic Engagement

Jackson, MS – Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is excited to announce it has been awarded a $150,000 grant from Family Values @ Work, a national network of 27 state and local coalitions that work together to ensure family-friendly workplace policies.  Through this grant, PPS will champion language justice and culture change work, ensuring all families—regardless of background or primary language—have access to the resources and support they need to advocate for strong public schools. This funding will also allow PPS to expand its efforts in advancing civic and voter engagement, promoting democracy defense, and supporting Black children and families. …
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In Publications

Impact Report 2023 – 24

A message to our supporters In 2023–2024, Parents for Public Schools (PPS) expanded its mission to secure high-quality public education for every child by empowering families across the country. Highlights from this year’s report include the launch of the first Spanish-language Parent Engagement Program (PEP), expansion of advocacy efforts through national conferences and federal initiatives, and impactful local chapter work in Mississippi, North Carolina, Hawaii, Oregon, and beyond. PPS chapters hosted parent trainings, voter engagement campaigns, community town halls, and student celebrations—fostering stronger school-family partnerships. Our leaders were selected to advise U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and participated in…
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In Joann's notes

Eliminating DEI Policies Threatens Every Child in Public Schools

Across America, a silent crisis has unfolded—one that could reshape the future of public education as we know it. Under pressure from executive orders and political mandates, public schools are being told to abandon their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs—or risk losing the federal funding that sustains them.  At first glance, it might seem like just another policy debate. But if you're a parent, a teacher, or simply someone who believes in fairness, this is far more than a headline. It’s a direct attack on the rights of every child—regardless of race, background, ability, or zip code—to receive a…
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In Press Release

Parents for Public Schools Awarded Grant from Phil Hardin Foundation to Strengthen Parent Engagement in Mississippi Public Schools

(JACKSON, MS, February 25, 2025) Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $215,120 grant from the Phil Hardin Foundation to support its Parent Engagement in Mississippi Public Schools project. For over 60 years, the Phil Hardin Foundation has been a catalyst for innovation in education, partnering with organizations that enhance learning opportunities and strengthen communities. This investment in PPS underscores the foundation’s commitment to educational opportunity and community improvement in Mississippi.  PPS works to bridge the gap between families and schools through workshops, leadership training, and community partnerships, ensuring parents have a…
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