The Argument

The Argument

Illiteracy is a policy choice

Why aren’t we gathering behind Mississippi’s banner?

Kelsey Piper's avatar
Kelsey Piper
Sep 25, 2025
∙ Paid
Many schools are reintroducing phonics-based reading programs, but that is just one policy change driving the “Mississippi Miracle.” (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

This month, the Department of Education released its latest edition of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the standardized tests better known as …

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