Mississippi improved literacy. Michigan seeks to do the same.
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In 2013, Mississippi ranked 49th in the country for fourth grade reading scores, with only 21% of students testing at or above proficient. Over the next decade, the state improved its ranking to 21st through intentional steps like teacher training, literacy coaches, and strengthened accountability standards.
Kymyona Burk, former Mississippi state literacy director, explained that officials implemented a plan, monitored its progress with data, and adjusted it as needed.
Inspired by Mississippi’s success, Michigan lawmakers have invested in teacher training and curriculum aligned with the science of reading. Governor Gretchen Whitmer committed over $123 million to this effort, focusing on phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. However, despite beginning these efforts in 2016 with the Read by Grade Three law, Michigan’s fourth-grade reading scores have continued to decline, leaving the state ranked 44th nationally. Both candidates for Michigan governor, Jocelyn Benson and John James, prioritize improving literacy.
Educators and advocates emphasize the need for consistent funding for teacher training and a more unified reading curriculum across the state. Mississippi’s approach included A-F school grades and a law requiring students to pass a reading test before advancing to fourth grade, though some argue the latter artificially inflated scores by excluding retained students. Waterford School District in Michigan is mirroring Mississippi’s methods by fully training its K-5 teachers in the science of reading and aligning its curriculum.
