Mississippi House Speaker Jason White has emerged as one of the most vocal supporters of school choice in the state. Over the past few months, he has traveled across Mississippi highlighting the potential benefits of open enrollment—a system that allows parents to decide where their children attend public school. In a recent interview with the Daily Journal, White discussed his vision for improving educational access, transparency, and parental control ahead of the upcoming legislative session in January.
White’s Push for Open Enrollment
When asked if Mississippi is moving toward a statewide open enrollment model, similar to what other southern states have adopted, White confirmed that it’s under serious consideration.
He explained that the House passed a bill last year promoting what’s known as “open enrollment” or “portability.” Neighboring states like Arkansas have long allowed students to attend any public school of their choice without restrictions. “You can simply enroll at another school, and it’s so normalized that nobody even questions it,” White said.
He also emphasized that his support for school choice doesn’t come from a place of opposition to public education. “My mother taught English at Kosciusko Junior High School for 35 years,” he said, noting his deep family ties to public schools. “My father worked at Holmes Junior College, and my sister has spent three decades in public education. This isn’t about attacking public schools—it’s about giving families options.”
Understanding “Portability”
White explained that portability—the idea that education funding should follow the student—has faced significant debate, sometimes even more than education savings accounts (ESAs) or voucher programs.
In Mississippi, the proposal currently allows students from D or F districts to transfer to another public school, provided that the receiving district agrees. “Your home district can’t hold you hostage if another district accepts you,” White said.
Under this system, the state funding portion (a few thousand dollars per student) would transfer with the child, while local district funds would remain unchanged. White clarified that this approach mirrors what most other states already do, though he acknowledged that in Mississippi, only a few politically connected families typically manage to navigate this process successfully.
Limited Release and Regional Differences
White noted that while some parts of the state have been open to releasing students, others remain resistant. “Along the Coast, schools in places like Biloxi and Ocean Springs generally allow transfers without issue,” he said. “Those schools are already at capacity, so letting a student go doesn’t hurt them.”
However, in other areas, school boards have decided not to release any students, which White understands but disagrees with. “Their job is to manage a school system. My job is to represent the voters and taxpayers, and that means ensuring parents have choices,” he stated.
He described the current scenario as a “quasi-private model” within the public system, where a few districts informally allow flexibility, but most do not. White believes this needs to change for the sake of educational fairness across the state.
Conclusion
Speaker Jason White’s advocacy for school choice and open enrollment represents a broader push to reimagine Mississippi’s education system. By emphasizing parental empowerment and equal access, he hopes to bridge the gap between districts and give every child a fair chance at success—regardless of their ZIP code. While the upcoming legislative session will determine how far these reforms go, White’s message is clear: flexibility and fairness must be at the heart of Mississippi’s educational future.
FAQs
What does school choice mean in Mississippi?
School choice allows parents to select the best educational setting for their children—whether it’s within their district, another public school, or even a charter option—without being restricted by geographic boundaries.
How does open enrollment work under White’s proposal?
Open enrollment, or portability, lets students from underperforming (D or F) districts transfer to better-performing schools, with state funding following the student to the new district.
When will lawmakers discuss this proposal?
The Mississippi Legislature is expected to revisit the open enrollment bill in the January session, where it could gain further support or be expanded statewide.
