How Mississippi Transformed Its Schools From Worst to Best
Since 2013, Mississippi has skyrocketed on national tests, while blue states lag. What is it doing right?
Mississippi sends literacy coaches to low-performing elementary schools, one key part of its strategy.
By Sarah Mervosh, The New York Times
In Kim Luckett-Langston’s first year as principal of Hazlehurst Elementary School, one of the lowest performing schools in what had been one of the lowest performing states, she quickly diagnosed the problem.
Children at her school, outside Jackson, Miss., were suffering from what she calls A.B.T.: “Ain’t been taught.”
Kindergartners arrived not knowing their letters from their numbers. After a few years in school, they were still far behind. A decade ago, just 12 percent of Hazlehurst students were reading on grade level.