While browsing the net today, I came across an article of interest regarding National School Choice Week. Perhaps, you will find it interesting and I am sure there are those who will have pro and con views.
National School Choice Week, January 23-29, 2011, is for advocates of School Choice in hopes of bringing attention to effective educational opportunities for students nationwide.
Advocates of school choice are sending out the message that for so long the education system in the United States has been failing to focus on what should be important: the student.
According to advocates, money on top of money has been poured into education and yet our schools still seem to miss the mark.
One blogger offered:" Three Reasons You Should Join 'National School Week"
First: "Most education Reform throws good money after bad"
Second: "School Choice Can Help States From Going Bankrupt"
Third: Every Child Deserves a Quality Education To Prepare Them For Life"

A message straight from the National School Choice Website states the following:
"Our message is simple: we need a K-12 education system that provides a wide array of options. We need an effective education system that has the flexibility to personalize and motivate students and allow parents to choose the school that is best for their child.
 
National School Choice Week was created to provide a concentrated focus on this mission – a time for the media and the public to hear our resounding message and a time to bring new voices into the chorus. There is no one organization behind this effort; those working on setting it up come from a variety of school reform organizations. We may each have a specialty: charter school growth and success, universal vouchers and tuition tax credits, corralling out-of-control spending, or union accountability, but each is equally important and all should plan to be a part of this special week."

The 2011 Mississippi legislature is in session in Jackson and a mountain of bills have begun their journey to the relevant commitees. MoveMississippi will post some of the bills offered by your legislators and welcome your comments. Some of the bills being offered are controversial and highly debatable. 

Today's Bill For Discussion
HB 60
Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act or
Schoolchildren's Religious Liberties Act
Author: Rep. Mark Formby (R) 
District 108

Title: AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE "RELIGIOUS VIEWPOINTS ANTIDISCRIMINATION ACT" OR "SCHOOLCHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES ACT"; TO PROHIBIT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM DISCRIMINATING AGAINST STUDENTS BASED ON THEIR EXPRESSION OF RELIGIOUS VIEWPOINTS ON OTHERWISE PERMISSIBLE SUBJECTS; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADOPT A POLICY THAT ESTABLISHES A LIMITED PUBLIC FORUM FOR STUDENT SPEAKERS AT SCHOOL EVENTS AND TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PUBLISH A DISCLAIMER STATING THAT THE STUDENTS' VIEWS DO NOT REFLECT THOSE OF THE DISTRICT; TO CLARIFY THAT STUDENTS MAY EXPRESS THEIR BELIEFS ABOUT RELIGION IN HOMEWORK, ARTWORK AND OTHER ASSIGNMENTS; TO AUTHORIZE STUDENTS TO ORGANIZE PRAYER GROUPS, RELIGIOUS CLUBS AND OTHER RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS TO THE SAME EXTENT THAT STUDENTS ARE PERMITTED TO ORGANIZE OTHER NONCURRICULAR STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND GROUPS; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADOPT A POLICY REGARDING LIMITED PUBLIC FORUMS AND VOLUNTARY EXPRESSION OF RELIGIOUS VIEWPOINTS; TO PROVIDE A MODEL POLICY ON STUDENT EXPRESSION OF RELIGIOUS VIEWPOINTS AND STUDENT SPEAKERS WHICH SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY ADOPT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-4.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-13-4, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES THAT TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS MAY PERMIT THE VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION BY STUDENTS IN PRAYER, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-13-161, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES THAT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS MAY ALLOW REFERENCES TO RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHEN THE REFERENCES DO NOT CONSTITUTE AID TO ANY RELIGIOUS SECT OR A SECTARIAN PURPOSE, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.