Examining the Educational Landscape of Mississippi

Mississippi's education system has undergone significant changes and faces ongoing challenges. While it has long been considered one of the poorest states in the United States, Mississippi has recently demonstrated rapid improvement in K-12 student performance, widely attributed to a series of policy, curriculum, and pedagogical changes initiated at the state level. This article aims to provide an overview of the Mississippi education system, including recent reforms, challenges, and historical context.

Recent Progress and the "Mississippi Miracle"

Mississippi's school system has emerged as the fastest improving in the nation, with students excelling in reading and math, despite the state being the poorest in the country and spending less per pupil than most other states. In 2013, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) ranked Mississippi in 49th place nationally for fourth-grade literacy.

The "Mississippi Miracle" refers to the rapid improvement of K-12 student performance in Mississippi since 2013. After adjusting for demographics, in 2024, Mississippi was the nation's #1 state in reading as well as in mathematics. This growth has carried over to a large degree to eighth-grade students.

According to the Urban Institute, when student demographics are considered, Mississippi ranks first in fourth-grade math and reading, and fourth in eighth-grade reading. Even without factoring in demographics like income, Mississippi's Black students rank third nationally, and its low-income students outperform those in every other state.

Literacy-Based Promotion Act

The state's success is largely attributed to the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, passed in 2013. The law was sponsored by 7 Republicans and 1 Democrat. The bill garnered support from both parties, including all but two Republicans and every Democrat except 14 in the House.

This law introduced reading coaches to struggling schools, ensured regular reading assessments for young children, and involved parents if their child was falling behind. Schools began to screen students at a young age for issues in literacy so that they would be able to have access to specialized services that would help them catch up and achieve mastery. Each struggling child receives an Individualized Reading Plan, which is crafted by a joint effort of parents and teachers. Schools were given direction on how to best address the needs and gaps detected by all this testing.

A key component of the act is the requirement for third graders to pass a reading test to advance to the next grade, unless they qualify for an exemption. Students in 3rd grade are given multiple opportunities to pass a reading test, often known as the "third-grade gate". Students who repeatedly earn less than a passing grade on the test are retained and do not proceed to fourth grade, instead being assigned to a teacher with expertise in helping struggling readers. This policy has motivated schools and families to intervene earlier, providing additional support for students held back and training teachers in effective reading methods.

The Education Week Quality Counts report ranked Mississippi No. 2 in the nation for improvement in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Quality Counts ranked Mississippi No. 2 in 2021 for closing 4th grade reading achievement gap between students in low-income families and their wealthier peers. Mississippi’s Quality Counts ranking for K-12 achievement has risen from 50th in 2013 to 35th in 2021.

NAEP Assessment Results

On the whole, Mississippi had a positive showing on the 2024 NAEP assessment. Among other highlights, fourth graders in the state experienced the highest growth in the nation in reading and math between 2013 and 2024. Fourth graders also outscored the national average in reading for the first time.

Mississippi’s 2024 fourth grade reading scale score of 219 was statistically the same as its 2022 reading score of 217. Meanwhile, the national average fell from 216 to 214. On the fourth grade math test, our students jumped from a scale score of 234 to 239 between 2022 and 2024. This 2024 score is statistically the same as its 2019 score, an indication of pandemic recovery. The national average followed a similar trajectory between 2022 and 2024, rising from 235 to 237, though its 2024 score is still below its pre-pandemic score of 240.

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Mississippi’s eighth grade reading score of 253 did not change between 2022 and 2024. The national average fell from 259 to 257 during this period. Mississippi’s math scale score rose slightly between 2022 and 2024, though the increase was not statistically significant. The state’s 2024 eighth grade math score remains lower than its 2019 score, indicating the need for continued recovery from pandemic learning loss. On a national level, the average eighth grade math score in 2024 is statistically the same as in 2022.

Comprehensive Approach

Mississippi has had a comprehensive approach to improving education in the state since 2012. The best explanation, in our opinion, of the upward trajectory of Mississippi’s scores over the last two decades is due to the state’s long-term commitment to increasing the rigor of state standards and aligning our state testing and accountability systems to match that rigor.

Remaining Challenges

Despite bucking national trends, Mississippi still has room to grow. Of the four NAEP tested areas (fourth grade math and reading, and eighth grade math and reading), eighth grade reading is where the state has seen the least progress over time. It is also the only area that did not see any improvement between 2022 and 2024 (though not all increases in other areas were statistically significant). Mississippi’s eighth grade math scores are another area of concern, given that they are still behind pre-pandemic scores. Finally, the state needs to continue to support the implementation of high-quality curriculum. Now that Mississippi has a strong process for identifying materials, we need to double down on making sure those materials actually get used in classrooms.

Historical Context and Challenges

Segregation and Desegregation

In anticipation of Brown v., Mississippi sought to promote a public education system that was separate but equal. Following desegregation cases, Green v. and in Alexander v., these efforts proved ineffective.

Private schools twenty-five years ago was taboo, but segregationist trappings have largely fallen away. Interaction is starting to take place among the races, including in professional groups, in social groups, in churches, etc. According to Dr., you can see some changes and progress on race.

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Observers consider Brown v. to achieve integration has had a negative impact on education overall in the Delta.

Racial Disparities and Segregation Today

Many schools in the state are much more segregated and homogeneous than in others. Some schools are all black. Since the 1980s, many white families have left the public school system in Mississippi. Of the public schools in Mississippi, 56 are 60 percent or more white. Numbers may not add up to 100%, reflecting other races. Despite the desegregation orders, whites have returned to the public schools. Although the state is 37 percent white, the public school K 12 enrollment is only 0.1 percent white.

There are concerns about tracking within schools, where students are separated into different classes based on perceived ability. According to Dr., during the desegregation process, students were often placed in lower-level classes based on race. According to Mr. Barber, it may not even be policy any more, but the way the principal in that school works.

Alternative schools are disproportionately black. Dr. would say 75 to 80 percent of those who are in poverty are black. The schools that he observed were overwhelmingly black.

Zero Tolerance Policies

Ms. argues against African-American and Latino children and children with special needs. Schools leaves much to be desired. Teachers merely act as monitors and do not explain the work, which has detrimental effects of Zero Tolerance Policies. According to Ms., of the programs are not quality.

Annexation and School District Expansion

v. extended when land is annexed by a municipality. v. Miss. Code Ann. school districts of annexed land. The legislative purpose is financial, and some argue that racism plays a role.

Mr. believes that children are being drawn to the Greenville public school district because the population is about 55 percent black. This is taking place in larger areas, including Hattiesburg and Jackson. Families are moving to these areas in an attempt to escape the municipal public school systems. Mr. notes that those districts are expanding their lines out into the county.

Higher Education Desegregation

v. saw little during the decade following the landmark admission of James Meredith to public universities.

The dismantling of the prior segregated system is intended to mandate by adopting race-neutral policies. However, some argue that jure segregation continues to foster segregation in universities.

Consolidation and Mergers

There have been discussions about potential closings and mergers of schools in the state. Some argue that some of the eight public universities should be merged or consolidated as a goal for economic support. Others believe that the state should work toward reducing the number of junior and senior colleges.

Admission Standards and Summer Programs

New admission standards were implemented in the fall of 1996. Critics argued that their impact would be dramatic: Fordice plaintiff attorney Alvin Chambliss Jr. said the new standards would put the black schools behind 50 years.

To address these concerns, nine-week summer programs were created for students who did not otherwise meet the uniform admissions requirement. However, there is concern about the expense of the summer program.

Teacher Shortages and Retention

There is a severe shortage of teachers in the Mississippi Delta, and the current shortage of minority teachers is particularly acute. The number of minority teachers statewide applying for certification continues to decline. Creative programs are needed to help address the problem.

Funding Disparities

Historically, there have been significant funding disparities between white and black students. In the past, for every $9.88 spent for white instruction, $1 was spent on blacks.

Community Involvement and Support

Support from local businesses and others is crucial for the success of schools. However, divided loyalties can arise when individuals pay ad valorem taxes to support the public school system while also sending their children to private schools.

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