Mississippi went from being ranked the second-worst state in 2013 for fourth-grade reading to 21st in 2022. Louisiana and Alabama, meanwhile, were among only three states to see modest gains in fourth-grade reading during the pandemic, which saw massive learning setbacks in most other states.
The turnaround in these three states has grabbed the attention of educators nationally, showing rapid progress is possible anywhere, even in areas that have struggled for decades with poverty and dismal literacy rates. The states have passed laws adopting similar reforms that emphasize phonics and early screenings for struggling kids…
These Deep South states were not the first to pass major literacy laws; in fact, much of Mississippi’s legislation was based on a 2002 law in Florida that saw the Sunshine State achieve some of the country’s highest reading scores. The states also still have far to go to make sure every child can read.
The state requires every K-3 teacher, elementary principal and assistant principal to take a 55-hour training course in the science of reading. It’s well worth the time, according to Assistant Principal Erika Brown, who said that in college she didn’t learn a thing about teaching kids to read.
Or did they demand that the teachers get this training on their own time and on their own dime?
Just yesterday said teachers should not “necessarily” give up their jobs as if things are better elsewhere. Bureaucracies make for fatter paychecks. People are not necessarily worth a dime more going elsewhere.
And now the Gov of Mississippi says he wants young people to stop leaving the state. First improving education, then saying he wants to make the state a more attractive place for average folk to live? He must be a Commie!!!
/sarcasm
I have been a HUGE fan of the Mississippi program from its inception, but way back then I doubted they would have the guts to carry it out. It was the right program, but the key was the commitment to NOT pass students along who had not hit the targets, but to double down on teaching them.
