GPSD Community Engagement Council

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) understands the importance of establishing and sustaining high-quality schools for all students regardless of race, ethnicity, class, gender, disability, or status. This endeavor requires meaningful participation from diverse stakeholders to inform school and district policies that enable students to reach their academic potential. The Community Engagement Councils, also known as P-16 Councils, are community-based, independent boards whose task is to build strong and healthy schools and communities. Community-based prekindergarten through higher education councils are required to be established if a school district is designated as failing or if a district has a School At-Risk (as defined by the State Board of Education) according to Mississippi statute §37-18-5. Language in the statute states that “[t]he council will serve as a community-led group that is inclusive, accountable and required to publicly report progress to the community as a whole.”