How Mississippi Fixed Its Failing Schools
Summary
This episode explores the "Mississippi Miracle," where the state rose from the bottom to the top 10 in literacy without increasing spending. Heritage Foundation fellow Corey DeAngelis attributes this success to phonics-based instruction and strict third-grade promotion standards, while criticizing teacher unions for resisting evidence-based reforms. Mississippi State Literacy Director Dr. Amanda Malone details the implementation of literacy coaches, regular screening, and ongoing teacher training. The discussion concludes with a call for school choice and continued focus on adolescent liter…
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Jerry car insurance app
Sponsor: Anthropic and Claude AI
Intro: The Mississippi Miracle in education
Sponsor: Alliance Defending Freedom
Interview with Corey De Angelis begins
Reforms: Reading standards and science of reading
Data: Mississippi vs California outcomes
Impact of holding firm academic standards
Future reforms: School choice and competition
Political barriers and union influence
Critique of union priorities vs student learning
Math scores and the need for continued reform
Interview with Dr. Amanda Malone: Implementation
Next steps: Adolescent literacy and language
Listen ad-free on Castria