Mississippi Reading Gains Are Real, New Study Confirms

For years, Mississippi has been celebrated for pulling off what seemed impossible: transforming from one of the worst states for reading scores to a national success story. Last month, skeptics argued the whole thing was smoke and mirrors, claiming the state simply excluded struggling students from tests to inflate scores.

A new study from economist Sakib Mahmud puts that debate to rest. His research shows Mississippi's reading gains are real, driven by smart investments rather than statistical tricks.

Mahmud analyzed retention policies in four states—Arizona, North Carolina, Ohio, and Mississippi—between 2010 and 2019. All four states started requiring third graders who couldn't read proficiently to repeat the grade, giving researchers a chance to see if holding kids back actually works.

The findings tell a surprising story. In Arizona, North Carolina, and Ohio, the retention policies barely moved the needle. But Mississippi saw genuine improvements in reading scores, even when researchers accounted for the testing timing differences critics worried about.

Here's the twist: retention wasn't the magic ingredient. Mississippi saw reading scores improve even before the retention policy kicked in during the 2014-15 school year. The real game changer came in 2013, when state leaders committed $15 million annually to teacher training, literacy coaches, and progress monitoring.

That might not sound like much compared to per-pupil spending in wealthier states. But for Mississippi, one of the poorest states in America, it represented a major commitment to changing how reading is taught.

The difference between Mississippi and the other states came down to what educators call "intensity of implementation." While other states passed retention laws and hoped for the best, Mississippi built a comprehensive support system. Teachers got training in evidence-based reading instruction. Struggling students received individualized help from literacy coaches. Schools tracked progress closely and adjusted strategies when kids fell behind.

Why This Inspires

Mississippi's story matters because it proves that real change is possible, even in places facing serious challenges. The state didn't need a miracle or statistical manipulation. It needed leaders willing to invest in proven strategies and teachers ready to put in the work.

The professionals who developed Mississippi's reforms have always insisted their success wasn't magic. They point to sustained commitment, evidence-based teaching methods, and adequate funding as the real drivers. Now independent research backs them up.

Other states struggling with reading scores can learn from Mississippi's playbook: retention policies alone won't fix the problem, but comprehensive support for teachers and students can create lasting change.