Inclusion

It doesn’t say what they actually did in MA. Are free lunches responsible for higher reading and math scores?

Key Components of Mississippi's Education Reform
  • Literacy-Based Promotion Act (2013): A "third-grade gate" requires students to read at grade level to advance to fourth grade, eliminating social promotion.
  • Focus on Phonics: Mississippi shifted early reading instruction to emphasize phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
  • Literacy Coaches: The state placed specialized coaches in the lowest-performing schools to support teachers and model instruction.
  • Teacher Development: Intensive professional development was mandated for K-3 teachers, ensuring they were equipped to teach reading science.
  • Pre-K Investment: The state invested in early childhood education to improve readiness.
  • Accountability and Testing: Schools receive letter grades (A-F), with a focus on the progress of the lowest-performing 25% of students.
  • High School Reforms: Graduation rates increased from 72.5% in 2013 to nearly 90%, supported by career coaches.
    The Conversation +5
Results and Impact
  • Reading Gains: By 2024, Mississippi saw significant gains in 4th-grade reading scores on national assessments.
  • Rankings: Mississippi moved from a bottom-tier ranking to 16th in the nation for education in 2025.
  • Reduced Retention Rates: While retention increased initially, studies showed that third-grade retention improved long-term reading outcomes without significant negative impacts.
  • Teacher Pay Increases: In 2026, lawmakers continued to focus on teacher recruitment with approved salary increases.
    The Conversation +3
Criticisms and Context
  • Demographic Adjustment: Some debate exists over the rankings, with discussions regarding whether improvements are a "miracle" or an artifact of, in part, adjusting for student demographics.
  • Retention Concerns: While research suggests the policy works, holding back students remains a point of contention for some families.
 
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