- For Early Grade Reading Gains, States Look to Mississippi and Consider Holding Students Back
When Mississippi overhauled its literacy education in 2013, one of the most controversial pieces was a policy to retain third graders if they couldn’t pass the reading portion of the state’s English language arts...
- California Literacy Investments Are Mostly Working
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. It’s not quite the “Mississippi Miracle,” but California’s reading scores have been inching upwards since the state poured billions into...
- In a Mississippi School District With Strict Gender Rules, Trans Students and Families Push to Be Heard
BILOXI, Miss. — When nine young adults tossed their mortarboards into the air at the Little Biloxi Theatre on June 20, it wasn’t their first time graduating from high school. After an emotional celebration that honored...
- Mississippi Teachers Say the Process to Buy Classroom Supplies Is Worse
Weeks before the first day of school, teachers across Mississippi say state leaders have made it more difficult for them to access money for classroom supplies.  Educators have to complete training before they’re...
- In Mississippi, Summer Can Increase Risk of Hunger for 3 in 4 Kids Who Rely on In-School Meals
For the third year in a row, Gov. Tate Reeves opted out of a state-federal partnership that would have given summer grocery benefits to roughly 320,000 Mississippi children who rely on free meals during the school...
- Mississippi Focuses on Boosting Middle School Students’ Reading Scores
Fourth grade literacy gains earned Mississippi national acclaim. But that achievement tapers off as students advance to higher grades.  Lawmakers are putting millions toward changing that.  Mississippi has...
- Mississippi Governor Says Oklahoma Can Achieve His State’s Reading ‘Miracle’
OKLAHOMA CITY — Touting his state’s soaring literacy scores, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves urged Oklahoma leaders to commit to tough reading policies. This year, Oklahoma enacted similar literacy laws as Mississippi,...
- Mississippi High in Education, Last in Child Health Outcomes
Mississippi continues to outperform most of the nation in education, according to a new report, but health outcomes for children remain dismal.  The 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, published annually by the Annie...
- Opinion: How the ‘Southern Surge’ Passed Oklahoma By
In poorer states like Oklahoma, we’ve often heard a sardonic refrain whenever the conversation turns to bad news about health or education: “Thank God for Mississippi.” I grew up hearing that line. However bad things...
