Mississippi's fourth graders now rank ninth in the nation for reading, a dramatic turnaround for a state that placed 49th just over a decade ago.
The transformation stems from comprehensive literacy reforms launched in 2013 with the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, which overhauled how Mississippi teaches children to read. The state focused on evidence-based phonics instruction, mandatory teacher retraining, and early intervention for struggling students.
Building Teacher Expertise and Standardized Instruction
Mississippi's approach required all kindergarten through third-grade teachers to complete intensive training in reading instruction through the LETRS program. The state deployed reading coaches to model effective teaching methods and provide daily feedback to educators in low-performing districts.
Schools now use standardized, state-recommended curricula like myView Literacy, ensuring all students follow the same rigorous lesson plans, according to the New York Times.
Students receive universal literacy screening three times yearly from kindergarten through third grade. Those who fall behind get individualized reading plans and targeted interventions, including up to two hours of daily reading instruction plus 30 additional minutes for remediation.
One controversial element requires third graders who cannot read proficiently to repeat the grade, though retained students receive specialized support and high-quality teachers.
Measurable Success and National Recognition
The results have been striking. Mississippi fourth graders achieved the highest gains in both reading and math nationwide between 2013 and 2024. When adjusted for student demographics, Mississippi fourth graders now score highest in the nation in reading and math.
For the first time in 2024, the state's fourth graders exceeded the national reading average. More than 15,000 teachers have completed the LETRS training, with teacher knowledge of early literacy skills jumping from the 48th percentile to the 59th percentile within one year.
Michael Petrilli of the Fordham Institute noted that Mississippi now outperforms wealthier states in helping disadvantaged children learn. The state advanced from last place nationally to the top 10 for fourth-grade reading proficiency, TeachMS reported.
Mississippi's overall education ranking climbed to 16th in the nation by 2025, its highest ever. Mississippi's low-income fourth graders now perform better than those in every other state, surpassing Michigan by 17 points.
However, gains have been less dramatic in later grades. Eighth graders still rank 41st in reading and 35th in math. Recognizing this, state education officials are requesting nine million dollars to expand literacy coaching beyond elementary grades. Mississippi continues to raise standards for school performance ratings to maintain momentum.
The state accomplished this transformation despite having among the lowest per-pupil spending nationally, demonstrating that strategic investments in teacher development and early literacy can yield significant outcomes even with limited resources.
The success has prompted at least 23 states to adopt similar evidence-based literacy policies, with many citing Mississippi as their model, as per Ed Week.
Originally published on parentherald.com
