Consultants gather state board input on Mississippi Department of Education strategic vision; members debate 'create' vs. 'sustain'

Consultants working with the Mississippi Department of Education asked state Board of Education members to refine a strategic vision for the next decade at a special planning session, focusing discussion on whether the department’s mission should move from the word “create” to “sustain,” and on expanding career and technical education as a pathway to retain students locally.

The session, convened to gather high-level direction rather than to make decisions, featured introductions from the consultant team and board members and three sample vision statements presented by Dr. Reginald Todd, a leader coach supporting the department. Dr. Todd read the existing mission aloud: “create a world class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and the workforce,” and invited members to consider alternative language and…