Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi lawmakers are doing homework before the 2013 session.

The House and Senate education committees met together Wednesday at the Capitol to discuss elementary-school reading skills, teacher evaluations and charter schools.

House Education Chairman John Moore says no bills have been filed, but the meeting provides a glimpse of what might be discussed starting in January.

Charters are public schools that are free of some state regulations. Supporters say charters would give flexibility for different academic approaches. Opponents worry charters would get too much attention and money, distracting people from efforts to improve all public schools.

Mississippi is creating a more detailed teacher evaluation system that should be used by 2014-15.

Gov. Phil Bryant wants more emphasis on ensuring children read at grade level by the end of third grade.