A Case Study of Parents for Public Schools

Even though I lived in Copiah County, MS all my life, I was thinking about leaving. The school would not listen to me. You could scream and they’d just do what they want. I would ball up the paper work and throw it in the garbage can! But I realized that this was damaging my kids’ education. So, I decided: “You will have to be the voice for your kids.”

Paul Rhodes from the next town introduced me to Parents for Public Schools (PPS) and helped me start a community Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). I became the first President! I became very vocal! And the PTSA paid for me to take the PPS workshops on parent leadership. I wanted to be outspoken, not just for my kids, but for all kids! Those workshops were an eye-opener! I became a better advocate, I know how the school system works. I learned that Title I schools must have a parent involvement policy that parents must review and sign. The one at my school had never been updated. Most parents didn’t know about it, and the few that signed it didn’t even know what it was. Well, we made some changes. Instead of catfish dinners, we look at the data, and there is transportation and childcare so parents can come. No more just checking the boxes! I started working with other parents to help our kids pass the tests. We put together a study group, and I could show the parents how to help their kids. Now, 65% of the kids score OK on the test. When PPS started working on racial equity, I started to see the bigger picture. There are four schools in Copiah County. Wesson is mostly White and has a STEM program. Why doesn’t my school have one? My daughter wants to be a computer engineer and design robots. I had to put her in a private STEM program. PPS taught me to advocate, go directly to the school board members, don’t just get negative on Facebook. I ran for school board and scared the incumbent. I didn’t win, but he’s a lot more responsive now.

The teachers aren’t culturally aware. After my son was told he wasn’t good enough to take Spanish. I took the PPS handbook to the counselors and said, “You are not doing your job! Your job is to motivate and inspire, not threaten and punish!” They apologized and he took the course, graduated, and joined the Job Corps. He’s a successful auto mechanic and has two kids. My PPS work spilled over -- I am on the Community Action Agency Board. We are identfying inequities and doing something about affordable housing and helping people go back to school.

— Tanya Marsaw, Parent Leader, Parents for Public Schools, Hazelhurst, Copiah County, Mississippi

Public school education is fundamental to a functioning democracy. Quality public education supports students learning and growth and contributes to a thriving society.  This case study tells the story of Parents for Public Schools (PPS) as they work to build a more racially equitable public school community for families in Mississippi.