Rhode Island can learn something from Mississippi. Historically, Mississippi education has been poor, so poor in fact, that many failing states “felt good” because they knew they were at least one state that was worse! Then came the “Mississippi Miracle.”
When we saw that Mississippi achieved this incredible turnaround in fourth grade reading in the national rankings, rising from 49th in 2013 to 9th in 2024, we decided to see what Rhode Island, which is consistently in the middle of the pack, could use to improve. (Neighboring Massachusetts is consistently in the highest group.) And in the Providence Public Schools, which are being overseen by the state, the trend has been “flat or lower” with no marketable improvement. This is critically important because these are the formative years, and they are indicative of
future outcomes.
Mississippi’s education performance was abysmal until 2013, when a new school superintendent persuaded politicians and unions to support and pass the Literacy-Based Promotion Act. This Act strategically refocused education policy by returning to the basics: quantitative measurement, strict accountability, research-backed teaching techniques, and support for both students and teachers. Teachers were trained in phonics –the science of reading – literacy coaches were deployed to further assist the teachers, and a retention policy for third-graders performing below their expected level for a rising fourth-grader was implemented.
If you look at the results … they did it right! School principals were empowered to actually lead with a stronger approach that doesn’t accept failure and is focused on delivering winning metrics. Investments in teacher training and coaching programs focused on evidence-based instruction. Comprehensive reading and math policies included early screeners, targeted interventions, and high-quality instructional materials.
School accountability was prioritized, and student growth was tracked – especially for the lowest performing students. The most controversial measure was maintaining the third grade promotion gate for students who weren’t reading on grade level, a policy proven to help students long term. The argument being that when students enter fourth grade, they should no longer be ‘learning to read’ but ‘reading to learn’
across all subjects.
This retention policy was the most contested part. In other states that followed Mississippi’s plan (and several ended up dropping it), it is reflected in their academic performance, which has trailed the states that kept it. They focused on what happens in the classroom. On the fundamentals. They trained teachers to be effective at teaching students to read. And they introduced systems of accountability to ensure that everybody - administrators, teachers, and students
met their marks.
Mississippi has 458,000 students and spends approximately $13,400 per student. Rhode Island has 138,000 students and spends approximately $22,400 per student. Providence has 26,000 students and spends an additional $5,600, bringing the total cost to approximately $28,000 per student. Probably the most important factor in the success was strong legislative support, and the changes were implemented with the support of teachers and thei unions. Students were the focus of all the changes because their performance was being measured, but teachers were also included in the legislative act because it empowered them. Better-performing teachers deliver better results.
The playbook is there for Rhode Island to truly change education for our students and start them on a path to success, which helps the state and city in so many ways. What is needed is a new education commissioner and all of the teachers and former teachers in the State House to act for their ‘real’ constituents, not the teachers’ union, and support a new curriculum designed by a new commissioner with the teachers and the unions that puts our children first.
Providence students speak 55 languages and come from 91 countries. More than half of the students come from homes where English is not the primary language, which presents a challenge for educators, but this is still the United States where every child should have the opportunity to succeed. Rhode Island has the capacity to do this. What is needed is leadership across the board, one voice committed to showing that “Failure Is Not An Option!” If Mississippi can do it … Rhode Island has no excuses.
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JohnMarks
You (both of you) are of course totally right.
It used to be said (reference upon request) that Rhode Islanders paid governmental costs at the level of Minnesota, but received governmental services at the level of Mississippi. I guess we can't say that any more!
Rhode Islanders apparently cannot decide between apathetic fatalism, or fatalistic apathy.
My father was a school principal in South Providence. He'd say, "We spend lots more per student than Moses Brown does... ." You properly note that poverty and diversity make success more difficult. I guess I'll have to say some prayers.
John Marks
Sunday, March 1 Report this