Wicker: Promotes Mississippi values in education
By U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)
Promoting School Choice and Protecting Women’s Sports
Americans are increasingly taking notice of Mississippi’s schools. Major newspapers have highlighted our improved elementary reading scores, extolling it as the Mississippi Miracle. Our universities continue to attract students and researchers from the world over. We have impressed outside of the classroom and laboratory, too. In December, the Jackson State University Tigers decisively won the Celebration Bowl. The next month, Mississippi Valley State University’s “Mean Green Marching Machine” showcased our state on a national stage by playing in the 60th Presidential Inauguration Parade.
All three branches of the federal government have been vigorously debating educational issues. Congress and the White House have recently taken steps to expand school choice options and to support women and girls in sports. The courts have taken up cases addressing women’s athletics as well as religious schooling options. As these discussions continue, I will keep advocating for the values and priorities of Mississippi families.
Expanding School Choice
Parents and guardians know best what their children need, and I have backed legislation to preserve their role in schooling decisions. For too long, parents have been prevented from sending their child to a school outside of their government-assigned zone – even if that school is a bad fit for their family. Lawmakers and advocates have proposed an alternative policy known as “school choice.” Rather than boxing parents in by zip code, school choice can allow families to pursue charter, private, public, home, or other schooling. The policy enjoys support among diverse demographic groups for a simple reason: It is good for children.
Most states have some form of school choice, including Mississippi. In Congress, I recently joined a bill that would tap into the resources of the private sector to make school choice possible for more students. The Educational Choice for Children Act would provide a tax credit to businesses and individuals who donate to non-profits that provide scholarships to K-12 students.
President Trump also enthusiastically supports the role of parents in education. Last month, he signed an executive order that directs his cabinet officials to prioritize school choice in grant programs and in the schooling options available to military families.
Protecting Women and Girls’ Sports
Government officials, educators, parents, guardians, and students have also been contesting the rules governing women and girls’ sports. In January, I signed my name to the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would amend Title IX’s athletics rules to define “sex” in terms of a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth. With that change, the legislation would prohibit any publicly funded institution from allowing a biological male to compete in women’s sports. I hope to see this bill signed into law soon.
If passed, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act would permanently repair damage the Biden administration tried to inflict on Title IX. The previous administration published rules requiring schools to allow almost any student to play in women’s sports. The athlete only had to “identify” as female. Basing participation on birth gender protects both female athletes and the quality of their competitions.
As Congress makes decisions about education, I will keep working to continue the impressive progress we have seen in Mississippi’s schools. I am eager to see what feats our students achieve next.
Note: This article is the weekly Wicker Report from U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, written by the Senator and provided by his office. Any opinions expressed here are that of the author and not necessarily that of this publication.
