Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-9-2024
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Public Policy Leadership
First Advisor
Melissa Bass
Second Advisor
Marvin King
Third Advisor
Tom Brady
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
K-12 public education in Mississippi has sparked much conversation and debate regarding the factors and forces that influence school performance on test scores, teacher pay and salaries, infrastructure, and student performance. Mississippi’s children deserve the best quality education and opportunities to grow into the best version of themselves. However, school districts across Mississippi within the same county are facing many disparities. The purpose of this study is to examine the disparities between the Meridian Public School District and Lauderdale County School District in Meridian. I interviewed seven school officials to gain perspective on the differences between the two school districts. From these interviews, I identified four major themes that were mentioned as potential sources of the performance gap between the two districts: funding, technology, socio-economic status, and the role of parents and guardians. I then used these findings to develop policy recommendations to close the gap between the two districts. Increased funding, technology integration alternatives, teacher recruitment and retention incentives, and parental and guardian engagement programs were the four policy recommendations made.
Recommended Citation
Konnar, Daneel, "Two Districts, Five Miles Apart: A Comparative Analysis of the Lauderdale County and the Meridian Public School Districts" (2024). Honors Theses. 3120.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3120
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