For decades, Mississippi had some of the worst reading and math scores in the country. That’s no longer true. Recently, the state’s third and fourth graders have improved significantly, and they’re now on par with the rest of the country. As kids head back to school, the New York Times Opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof explains what’s been called the Mississippi miracle and what other states can learn.
(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available midday on the Times website.)
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This Opinion short was produced by Jillian Weinberger. It was edited by Kaari Pitkin, Stephanie Joyce and Annie-Rose Strasser. Mixing by Isaac Jones. Original music by Isaac Jones, Carole Sabouraud and Pat McCusker. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. Special thanks to Kristina Samulewski.
