MAE President outlines 2025 legislative priorities

JACKSON, Miss. – by Erica Jones The Mississippi Association of Educators (MAE) is looking forward to another productive legislative session as we work together with lawmakers to improve Mississippi’s public education system. We are confident that our elected officials agree with us that there are no issues more important to Mississippi’s economic future and the success of our citizens than a strong system of public schools. 

We will encourage the full implementation of the new Mississippi Student Funding Formula. MAE believes that this formula is a most fair distribution system, and we will offer our insight and support as legislators work to provide educators with the fiscal resources to provide a high-quality education while making sure that these public funds are directed only to public schools. 

We support the establishment of universal pre-k and kindergarten across the state. We know that the earlier children are provided with these learning opportunities, the greater the potential for lifelong success. These programs should be included as necessary components of any funding support provided to the school systems. 

We think it’s time that we discontinue the unworkable and punitive standardized testing system that has unfairly created an artificial learning evaluation and stymied teachers’ ability to provide a well-rounded, informed education for our students. “Teaching to the test” is almost guaranteed to diminish students’ education exploration and comprehensive understanding of subject matters. Rather, we seek to provide students with the public education they need and deserve to be successful in a 21st-century economy. 

We encourage Investment in strong, secure school plant resources. We support school infrastructure that ensures safe, clean, and strong learning environments. We cannot afford to ignore this basic necessity if we expect our students and educators to succeed. 

MAE will work to see specific legislation supporting and funding the establishment of community schools in school systems that demonstrate a need and desire for such services. Community schools bring together academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement under one roof, leading to improved learning, stronger families, and healthier communities. Community schools provide wraparound services in areas of Mississippi most in need of additional support for their students. 

In today’s environment, it is important that we recognize the impact that trauma has on so many of our students. Thus, MAE believes we should set statewide trauma-informed practice standards for educators. This continuing training will enable educators and administrators to provide help to those trauma-affected students who need these services.   

Importantly, we support educator recruitment and retention through investments in residency programs, support and contract security. These measures include investing in an educator salary schedule to raise Mississippi educators to be the best-paid in the Southeast region. We want to secure living wages for education support professionals and school staff with a minimum starting wage of $15 per hour. We encourage the expansion of the Winter-Reed Educator Loan Repayment Program. Finally, we believe that the establishment of a standard system of contract renewal based on years of service, providing contracts for non-certified classroom personnel and reducing out-of-pocket costs for healthcare plans and medical access will enhance the state-wide establishment of strong educator and staff systems. 

It is our intent to encourage and support our elected officials as they work to continue improving and strengthening our public schools. Mississippi cannot afford to do otherwise.

Erica Jones is the President of Mississppi Association of Educators.

MAE is an association of nearly 8,000 members composed of Mississippi elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals, retired educators and college students preparing to become teachers. Our fundamental objective is to work for improved salaries, benefits, and working conditions for all education professionals, as well as for a strong Mississippi public education system.