Jackson-Madison County School Board denies former district educator’s application to open a public charter school

Dr. Jean Little (right) talking with Jackson-Madison County School System Superintendent Dr. Marlon King last month (Photo by the Jackson Museum School)

Dr. Jean Little says her teenage mother dropped out of school after she was born and raised her in public housing. She says education changed her life and put her on the path to being an educator for the Jackson-Madison County School System and most recently, a school principal in Kentucky.

Little told her personal story to members of the Jackson-Madison County School Board Wednesday to explain why she now wants to found the county’s second public charter school.

“I was really lucky though that I had a family that believed through hard work and education you can change your life and so I was able to do that,” said Little. “I feel very strongly about working with students who may need another person who is saying hey you can change your life.”

Little’s proposed Jackson Museum School is designed with that goal in mind. 

The proposed K-6 grade school would integrate immersive learning experiences, collaborative community partnerships, and integrated literacy development. Its students would engage in authentic learning experiences and present their learning through exhibitions each quarter according to the school’s application.

Little says she plans to target students of color and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in the central and east parts of Jackson and Madison County for enrollment if approved. The three zoned elementary schools in these targeted areas all received either a “D” or an “F” on the most recent School Letter Grades and none have higher than 15.6 percent achievement rate on state assessments.

Dr. Little told board members that she believes the proposed school adds to the district’s existing school portfolio and appeared to try to distance her proposal from the contentious application process of the county’s first public charter school.  Board members denied that proposal from American Classical Education Jackson-Madison County in 2023 only to see the charter applicant successfully appeal to the state.

“We’ve chosen to pursue a local authorization approach and collaboration with JMCSS because we want to be part of Jackson’s educational future, not apart from it. That sends a strong signal not only to stakeholders that we can work together but also to the state that says local boards can and should retain their local authorization powers and together we can expand the opportunity and choices of Jackson students and families,” said Little.

Board members voted 8 to 1 to reject the Jackson Museum School but left signs they might be willing to approve the school this summer.  Under state law, Dr. Little will have the option of submitting an amended application for approval that addresses any deficiencies identified by the board.

The district’s charter review team found the application met or exceeded state standards but board members cited some concerns about the proposal’s transportation and leadership plans along with its ability to adequately serve special student populations including English language learners.

Board Chair Board Chair Harvey Walden additionally brought up a concern that Dr. Little plans to use Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) when some states, including Mississippi, are moving away from it.

“They’re the number one state now in improving education. Actually, in ELA (English language arts) they top Tennessee now and it’s amazing,” said Walden. “So how can I today vote in favor for your school knowing that you will be teaching CKLA?”

Dr. Little indicated that she does plan to submit an amended application and is open to making changes to address concerns.

“If the evidence on a piece of curriculum has changed since we started researching it, we are definitely open-minded enough to also look at that and say ok maybe this is not the route that we need to go,” said Little. “The only thing that’s really set in stone is our mission and our vision.”

The Jackson Museum School’s application received a boost when the local NAACP Branch opted to neither oppose nor support it Wednesday.  Local NAACP leaders have traditionally opposed public charter schools in Madison County, including American Classical Academy Jackson-Madison County.

That public charter school is scheduled to open next fall.