Unfortunately, in all but one of the last nine years the MAEP has been shortchanged. Eight years of not funding the program adequately essentially cuts the legs out from under the program&8217;s true purpose. Continuing to skimp on public education will result in our continued undercutting the potential of Mississippi students. Amazingly, some of those students continue to excel despite working in a less than adequate system. Recently, the state chose to pass a law that promises to phase in full funding for MAEP over the next four years. Let&8217;s hope that happens. Maybe one day soon &8220;adequate&8221; won&8217;t be the goal we&8217;re aiming to reach. Mississippi&8217;s students deserve more than just aiming to be adequate; they deserve excellence.