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Parents for Public Schools began as a local initiative in 1989 in Jackson, Mississippi when 20 parents gathered to consider the impact their collective involvement in the schools might have. They were convinced then, and remain convinced today, that the best way to support the public schools is to enroll their children and commit to improving their schools shoulder to shoulder with all parents.
They began by recruiting one by one and through information sessions in their homes, to cultivate a new sense of the importance of strong public schools to the community and a renewed awareness of the sound education being offered in the public schools of Jackson. These efforts created a racial balance in four targeted primary schools in northeast Jackson and were followed by the passage of a $35 million bond issue--the first in more than two decades. These successes reached national audiences through coverage on NBC and ABC evening news features and sparked initial interest in PPS.
A National Organization with a Local Focus
Parents in other communities began forming PPS chapters and in 1991 Parents for Public Schools was incorporated as a national organization. Parents for Public Schools now has an organizational presence in 14 states. While individual chapter activities and goals vary, all chapters are committed to public school enrollment, meaningful parent and community involvement, and district-wide improvement.
The founding PPS chapter was formed to combat white, middle-class flight from the public schools and to publicize the economic, social and business development benefits that come to cities with strong public schools. In other cities--large and small, urban and rural--Parents for Public Schools chapters have organized to address specific issues such as insuring safety, enforcing discipline, building racial and economic bridges, improving facilities, expanding and strengthening curricula, and increasing positive media coverage.
During its brief history, PPS has heard and learned much about parent organizing, school governance and finance, and the equity issues that are driving public education reform. National PPS's strategy is to build chapters into strong organizations to expand their size and influence in their districts, regions and states. There are important advantages to supporting public schools that are common to all communities. No matter what the reasons may be for your community, our staff can help get your chapter started and organized to reach your specific goals.
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