The recent findings from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often referred to as the “National Report Card,” could be hard to digest.
There’s really no softening the blow—scores have either plateaued or declined overall. For the lowest achievers, the situation remains dire.
But responding with despair isn’t the way forward. Instead, we should closely examine the areas achieving better outcomes, learn from them, and try to replicate their success.
There’s a common perception of the South as lacking in educational quality, which is pretty unfair. As noted by my colleague Rick Hess in the National Review, Alabama and Louisiana stand out as the only states reporting improved math or reading scores since 2019, before the pandemic hit.
Mississippi, frequently viewed as a lost cause, has become one of the more promising examples in American education. Black students there now rank third in the nation, and low-income students are outperforming their counterparts elsewhere.
Closer to home, Success Academy charter schools in New York City continue to deliver outstanding results. Over 80% of their students are reading at or above grade level, and many come from low-income Black and Hispanic families.
This success illustrates some important principles. Schools that maintain a structured, adaptable curriculum and hold high expectations for all students tend to perform better than those chasing the latest educational fads.
Meanwhile, in Steubenville, Ohio, a working-class community somewhat removed from policy discussions, local schools have produced impressive literacy results for years. Nearly every child is reading proficiently by the end of third grade—not through trendy initiatives but by sticking to an evidence-based reading model for over 25 years.
The strategy includes systematic phonics, training all teachers to teach reading effectively, and providing timely intervention for struggling students.
Journalist Emily Hanford, who has documented failures of so-called “balanced literacy,” noted that when she visited Steubenville, a teacher seemed confused when she mentioned well-known names in the reading education sphere. Instead of following fads, they focused on systematic phonics.
The “balanced literacy” approach, which has dominated New York City’s primary schools for many years, has shown poor outcomes, particularly for low-income, minority, and immigrant students.
As Hanford reported, “Steubenville didn’t need to chase trends to grasp what they should do.” There’s a clear thread connecting Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Success Academy, and Steubenville: they all resisted the allure of fashion-driven ideologies. They stayed the course, implemented reliable practices, and didn’t abandon what was working.
This is also why U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is advocating for a return to basic literacy approaches, particularly in Southern states.
Current initiatives in New York City reflect these lessons. Mayor Eric Adams’ NYC Reads program is urging schools to align their reading instruction with scientific research on how kids learn.
Though still in its early stages, there are already encouraging signs. This past summer, the city reported gains in reading scores for third and fourth graders, particularly among Black and Hispanic students. It’s not magic; progress comes from adopting proven curricula, training educators, and intervening when needed.
However, there’s a risk involved. Soon after taking office, the new mayor faced calls to overhaul NYC Reads—something he perhaps hadn’t planned.
To whoever leads City Hall, whether it’s Zohran Mamdani or another figure, it’s crucial to avoid any impulse to change course. The best thing any new mayor can do for the kids is to stay committed to NYC Reads.
Education often falls victim to impatience, political maneuvering, or ideological shifts that derail promising reforms. We need to be wary of those who promise quick fixes in education—that’s not a viable strategy. The cases of Mississippi, Louisiana, Success Academy, and Steubenville highlight that sustained improvement is possible when adults genuinely commit to what works.
It’s not rocket science. Trust in solid research about reading, and stay the course. New York City and the nation should embrace this approach.
