Pastor Corey Brooks: Phonics improved schools in Mississippi—why is Chicago still struggling with its children?
As I traverse Mississippi during the Walk Across America campaign, aimed at revitalizing the fortunes of Chicago’s South Side, I witness something remarkable. Often dismissed as backward, Mississippi has transformed its schools into engines of hope. Children here are no longer stuck in failing systems; they are now advancing towards brighter futures. Meanwhile, on Chicago’s […]
Mississippi’s ‘miracle’ boosts 4th-grade reading scores from last place to the top 10 by returning to phonics
In 2013, Mississippi’s fourth-grade reading scores placed them at 49th among all U.S. states, as recorded by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This assessment is the longest-running national evaluation of American students’ skills in areas like reading and math. Remarkably, Mississippi jumped ten spots in 2019, reaching 29th place. In fact, last year they […]