In 1982, Mississippi embarked on a bold and groundbreaking journey to reform its education system. At the forefront of this historical moment was the Clarion-Ledger, a publication based in Jackson, Miss., that played a pivotal role in advocating for change and shedding light on the issues faced by Mississippi’s education system.
Passed on Dec. 20, 1982, the Mississippi Education Reform Act addressed the long-standing disparities in Mississippi’s education system. It aimed to improve the quality of education by increasing funding, implementing standardized testing, and enhancing teacher training. However, the journey toward its adoption was fraught with challenges, including resistance from various stakeholders and a lack of public awareness. When the act was passed Mississippi was the last state in the nation to not only offer a public kindergarten system but also to change from voluntary to compulsory school attendance.
Amidst this backdrop, the Clarion-Ledger, a newspaper based in Jackson, Miss., took on a crucial role in advocating for the passage of the act. The Clarion-Ledger’s in-depth reporting, led by Executive Editor Charles Overby who pushed for the newspaper to cover education reform in Mississippi, highlighted the disparities in funding, the urgent need for standardized testing, and the importance of investing in teacher training. Through its extensive coverage and editorial pieces, the Clarion-Ledger created a sense of urgency and public awareness, urging lawmakers to act!
One of the driving forces behind the Clarion-Ledger’s efforts was reporter Fred Anklam Jr. Anklam’s investigative reporting and compelling storytelling helped to bring the issues to the forefront and generate public support for the Education Reform Act.
“The public rose up and said we think this is important,” Anklam said. “We want this to happen and that creates an environment where the teachers feel supported, the school, educators feel supported. The parents feel like somebody’s listening to them. So I thought all of that was important to help carry it on. I can’t speak a lot to specific implementation because I was out of the state by that time and covering other things. But I do know that it was a signal moment for the state in which the public overwhelmingly said, we think education is important, we’re willing to spend our own tax dollars on it; and that’s significant.”
The Clarion-Ledger’s efforts were recognized in 1983 when the publication was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Public Service. This prestigious honor acknowledged the Clarion-Ledger’s outstanding contribution to journalism and their role in promoting positive change through reporting on the 1982 Education Reform Act.
“We did the journalism and we talked to people,” Anklam said. “We knew that people wanted something to be done. So we focused on that, we didn’t focus on a prize that might come or something. Matter of fact, it came like four months after we had done all our work. So it was a good reminder to focus on the journalism and things will maybe come your way. Even if they don’t, you’re doing good journalism that informs people that keeps them aware of what’s going on in their community and their state. And that’s the essence of building a good democracy, if the public is engaged and understands the key issues; knows who or where to call and complain about a vote or to urge someone to do more work on something that they think is important. That’s a big part of democracy and journalism’s role; to make sure that the public knows all these things.”
Forty years later, another Mississippi publication, Mississippi Today, is working to hold government officials accountable for the largest welfare scandal in the state’s history. Mississippi’s welfare scandal came to light in 2022 when whistleblowers within the Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS) revealed rampant corruption within the agency. Investigations revealed that at least $77 million in welfare funds were misappropriated by high-ranking DHS officials, who were found to have engaged in fraudulent activities such as awarding contracts to friends and family members, creating fake vendors, and falsifying documents.
Mississippi Today journalist Anna Wolfe has been at the forefront of uncovering the Mississippi Welfare Scandal. Wolfe’s in-depth coverage has shed light on the widespread abuse of public funds and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals by those entrusted to serve them. One of the key players in the scandal was MDHS’s former director, John Davis, who pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, fraud, and bribery. Wolfe’s reporting exposed how Davis, along with other high-ranking officials, used a complex web of shell companies and fraudulent schemes to embezzle millions of dollars from welfare funds. The scandal also revealed how these officials used public money to fund lavish personal expenses, including luxury vacations and expensive cars. Wolfe’s reporting went beyond just exposing the financial fraud. She also highlighted how the corruption and mismanagement within MDHS had severe consequences for the state’s most vulnerable citizens, who were denied the assistance they desperately needed. As a result of Wolfe’s persistent reporting and the public outrage it generated, numerous state and federal investigations were launched into the Mississippi Welfare Scandal. Several officials were indicted, and significant reforms were implemented within MDHS to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the administration of welfare programs. Wolfe’s work sparked significant reforms and increased accountability, setting an example for investigative journalism that holds those in power accountable and advocates for the most vulnerable in our society.