Press Release

Jackson, MS – Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is proud to announce that Jarred Gibson, Director of Organizational Advancement, has been selected as a Spring 2026 Fellow in the Institute for Educational Leadership’s (IEL) Education Policy Fellowship Program™ (EPFP). Gibson joins 86 leaders from 30 states and Washington, D.C. chosen to participate in IEL’s leadership development initiative focused on strengthening education policy and advocacy nationwide. Founded in 1964, EPFP has prepared more than 12,000 alumni to lead and influence education policy at the local, state, and federal levels. The program is designed to build the capacity of education and community leaders to drive meaningful change through…

Jackson, MS – Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is proud to announce that Chiquikta Fountain, Project Manager for Mississippi, has been selected as one of just 80 fellows nationwide for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network (CLN) in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership. Fountain joins a distinguished cohort of local leaders from across the country who are committed to advancing equity and creating conditions where children, families, and communities can thrive. The 18-month fellowship is designed to equip leaders with the skills and tools needed to drive transformational, systems-level change. Through immersive learning experiences, collaborative problem-solving, and national networking, fellows deepen…

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…

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…

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…

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. …

(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…

(JACKSON, MS) Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is proud to announce its partnership with AT&T—an effort that will benefit families across the state of Mississippi in bridging the digital divide. As a result of this collaboration, PPS will distribute 125 laptops provided by AT&T and Human IT/Compudopt. Further, AT&T has also awarded PPS a $31,000 grant to support digital literacy training for families. The training sessions, which will be held in Moss Point, Leflore County, and Philadephia, Mississippi, will assist participating families in enhancing their technological skills and gain access to essential digital resources. “Ensuring families have the necessary equipment…

JACKSON, MS - Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is proud to announce its membership with the Evidence Advocacy Center (EAC), a new organization dedicated to transforming the education system through evidence-based resources (EBRs). The expectation is that these resources, curated by trustworthy organizations, will inform education policy and practice, and will be utilized by state departments of education, school districts, educator preparation programs, policy makers, advocacy organizations, and parent and family advocates. The establishment of EAC marks a significant step toward enhancing public education by ensuring all students, especially those from vulnerable and marginalized populations, receive an outstanding education that…

(JACKSON, MS, February 21, 2024) Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) is thrilled to announce the receipt of a significant expansion grant aimed at fortifying efforts to enhance public education across North Carolina. This $140,000 grant, awarded by Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, will empower PPS to drive systemic change in collaboration with local partners, fostering a unified force for educational advancement across the state. With a steadfast commitment to equipping advocates at all levels---from local schools to school districts as well as at the state level---PPS will leverage its Parent Engagement Program (PEP) to drive impactful initiatives with this grant. The…