A report from the Progressive Policy Institute presents an insider account of how Mississippi’s K–3 education system evolved over roughly two decades. This review focuses on the report’s description of the state’s reading performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and its policy implementation. While Mississippi’s NAEP performance has improved, part of the gap’s closure reflects declining national performance. The review also examines the report’s proposed drivers of improvement, including accountability, the science of reading, and instructional coaching, as well as the relationship between the Literacy-Based Promotion Act and NAEP results.

Suggested Citation: Camilli, G. (2026). NEPC Review: Inside the Mississippi marathon. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. Retrieved [date], from https://nepc.colorado.edu/review/mississippi