Charter Schools Approved by Mississippi Lawmakers

Confines charters to poorly rated school districts

Charter schools will be established in Mississippi under legislation state senators approved Wednesday and sent to Gov. Phil Bryant for his signature.

The legislation allows 15 charter schools in the state and limits enrollment to students living in the district where the schools are established.

The bill, approved on a 34-18 vote, would allow a new authorizing board to approve charter schools in failing school districts, those rated as D or F by the state Department of Education.