Op-Ed: The Making of the Mississippi Miracle

This article originally appeared in Hub City Spokes on February 2, 2023

Ten years ago, only 33% of third graders and 32% of 8th graders were reading proficiently on state tests. Only 17% of White, 10% of Hispanic, and 2% of Black Mississippi’s high school students met all the ACT college readiness benchmarks. 

The resulting toll on our community college system was high. It spent nearly $25.5 million on remediation annually. The toll on our students was even worse. We were failing too many of them.  

Fast forward. Mississippi now leads the nation in learning gains for 4th grade students. You read it right. Mississippi!

How did we make these leaps? In 2012, then-Governor Phil Bryant presented an education vision entitled “Framing Mississippi’s Future.” The plan provided research and data about the state of public education in Mississippi. It also offered a new education pathway. During the 2013 legislative session, the vision would take root and have a lasting impact for years to come. 

Read full op-ed in Hub City Spokes