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Mississippi posts gains on NAEP: fourth-grade reading and math improve; state outlines literacy and math next steps
Summary
Mississippi showed substantial gains on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), particularly in fourth-grade reading and math. State education officials said the results reflect prior literacy investments and described planned expansions of literacy coaching and targeted math supports.
Mississippi posted significant progress on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), with notable gains in fourth-grade reading and fourth-grade math, officials told the Board Feb. 20. The state said it now ranks at or near the national average in several NAEP measures and highlighted improvements for multiple student subgroups.
Dr. Boone and other agency staff presented NAEP results to the board, noting that fourth-grade reading rose to a point that is “significantly higher than the national average,” and fourth-grade math showed the largest state gain nationally from 2022 to 2024. Eighth-grade performance moved closer to national levels but remained below in some measures.
The Mississippi Department of Education credited long-running literacy efforts for the reading gains. Dr. Evans and Dr. Boone said the gains reflect investments in a coaching model and literacy cadre. Dr. Boone said MDE will expand literacy supports, increase the cohort of literacy coaches, pilot an adolescent literacy initiative for grades 4–8 in fall 2025, and pursue legislative funding in 2026 to scale the effort statewide.
On math, the agency said it will reframe supports to focus on grades 2–6 to strengthen foundations and will develop processes to approve and micro-credential vendors who provide professional development so district-led implementation aligns with MDE coaching practices.
Agency NAEP coordinator Farrah Nicholson was introduced during the presentation; agency speakers noted NAEP is a sampled, digitally based assessment and that technical significance matters when comparing year-to-year change. Presenters also said Mississippi served as one of seven states in a national EL progress research study that informed proposed EL timelines discussed elsewhere on the agenda.
Board discussion centered on sustaining gains and ensuring district access to high-quality instructional materials and implementation support. The board did not take action on NAEP results; MDE presented the results as an information item and described next steps for literacy and math supports.
