In an era when many states struggle to lift reading achievement, one state has captured national attention for its remarkable progress. Mississippi, once ranked near the bottom in national reading scores, has transformed its literacy outcomes through determination, structured teaching, and an unwavering belief in the power of effective instruction. This transformation is now widely known as the Mississippi Miracle.

More than a decade ago, Mississippi faced a crisis in literacy. Too many students were leaving elementary school without the ability to read fluently, and the state’s national rankings reflected that struggle. Instead of accepting defeat, Mississippi’s leaders, teachers, and families came together to take bold and intentional action.

In 2013, the state passed the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, a comprehensive initiative that focused on ensuring all children could read proficiently by the end of third grade. This act placed reading at the heart of the state’s educational mission. It required early identification of struggling readers, targeted intervention, and specialized professional development for teachers grounded in the Science of Reading.

The message was clear: reading is not optional, and success begins with a strong foundation in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Mississippi embraced evidence-based instruction and gave teachers the tools to make it work.

One of the most powerful aspects of Mississippi’s success was its investment in educators. Instead of issuing mandates without support, the state funded literacy coaches in schools across Mississippi. These coaches were trained experts who supported classroom teachers in implementing explicit, systematic reading instruction.

Teachers received professional learning rooted in the Science of Reading, ensuring that instruction aligned with how children actually learn to read. The coaching model provided accountability, collaboration, and continuous growth. This investment affirmed what teachers have always known: when educators are supported, students thrive.

The results have been nothing short of extraordinary. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Mississippi’s fourth-grade reading scores rose dramatically, surpassing the national average for the first time in state history. Students who once lagged behind now perform alongside their peers across the nation.

These gains did not happen by chance. They are the product of deliberate effort, consistency, and fidelity to evidence-based practice. Mississippi proved that when a state commits to structured literacy and holds high expectations for every student, real progress is possible.

The Mississippi Miracle offers several valuable lessons for other states, including Texas:

1. Start Early and Screen Often
   Mississippi prioritized early literacy screening, allowing teachers to identify reading challenges before they became entrenched. Early intervention changes lives.

2. Empower Teachers with Knowledge and Coaching
   When teachers understand the science behind reading and receive ongoing coaching, they can confidently deliver high-quality instruction to all students.

3. Maintain High Expectations for Every Child
   Mississippi did not lower standards in the face of difficulty. Instead, it raised them and provided the resources to meet them.

4. Commit to Long-Term Reform
   Literacy transformation is not a quick fix. It requires consistent leadership, teacher training, and sustained funding. Mississippi stayed the course.

Don’t Skip the Bedtime Story! Here’s Why It Matters More Than You Think

Bedtime stories may seem like a sweet ritual, a way to end the day with calm and connection. But did you know those few quiet minutes of reading before sleep can actually have a lifelong impact on your child’s development?

Here’s why it’s worth making bedtime reading a daily habit:

1. It Builds Vocabulary and Language Skills
When you read aloud to your child, you expose them to new words, sentence structures, and ideas they may not encounter in everyday conversation. This early exposure to language lays the foundation for strong literacy skills and academic success later in life.

Even books for toddlers and preschoolers introduce rich vocabulary in context, helping children understand and eventually use those words on their own.

2. It Boosts Brain Development
Research shows that early reading helps develop the areas of the brain responsible for language processing, comprehension, and critical thinking. The simple act of listening to a story and imagining what’s happening strengthens neural pathways that support learning.

Books also encourage children to practice focusing, following a narrative, and making predictions, all essential skills for lifelong learning.

3. It Creates Emotional Connection
Snuggling up with a book provides more than cognitive benefits, it builds emotional security. Your voice, your attention, and the time you spend together send an important message: You are loved, and this moment matters.

Over time, children begin to associate books with warmth and connection, making them more likely to develop a love of reading on their own.

4. It Establishes a Calming Routine
Bedtime reading is a powerful way to wind down the day. The soothing rhythm of your voice and the predictable structure of a story can help children transition from the busyness of the day into restful sleep. Plus, children thrive on routines, and this one nurtures both their hearts and their minds.

5. It’s a Small Habit with Big Impact
You don’t have to read for an hour. Even just 10 to 15 minutes a night adds up. What matters is the consistency and the connection. Over time, this daily practice not only builds better readers, it builds better learners, listeners, and thinkers.

So Tonight, Don’t Skip the Story

Grab a favorite book. Turn off distractions. Snuggle close. Whether it’s a silly rhyming book, a classic fairy tale, or a few pages of a chapter book, those minutes are doing so much more than helping your child fall asleep, they’re helping them grow.

Make bedtime stories the best part of their day, every day.