Mississippi 'Miracle' Catapults 4th-Grade Reading Scores From Bottom into Top 10 by Getting Back to Phonics

Joseph MacKinnon November 29, 2025

https://www.theblaze.com/news/mississippi-miracle-catapults-4th-grade-reading-scores-from-bottom-into-top-10-by-getting-back-to-phonics

In 2013, Mississippi ranked 49th out of the 50 US States in grade four reading on the National Assessment of Education Progress -- the largest continuing national assessment of American students' knowledge and capability in math, reading, science, and writing.

In what has repeatedly been dubbed a "miracle," the sate made its way up the list-- to 29th in 2019 and then 10 spots higher to ninth place nationally for reading scores last year.

According to the NAEP, black students in Mississippi ranked third nationally last year among their cohort for reading and math scores.  Hispanic students in the state ranked first in the nation for reading and second for math scores.  An poor students in the Magnolia State ranked first for reading and second for math scores nationally. ....

“Election Day” Means What it says under Federal Law.

The U.S. Supreme Court has granted review of our landmark election integrity case on behalf of the Libertarian Party of Mississippi. We are seeking to uphold a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which struck down a Mississippi law unconstitutionally allowing election officials to count mail-in ballots received up to five days after Election Day.

The Supreme Court now has an opportunity to reaffirm that “Election Day” means what it says under federal law. Counting ballots received after Election Day not only violates federal law but encourages voter fraud and undermines voter confidence. The Supreme Court should uphold the historic decision by the Fifth Circuit that sensibly concluded that counting ballots received after Election Day is unlawful.

The October 2024, Fifth Circuit appellate opinion found:

Congress statutorily designated a singular “day for the election” of members of Congress and the appointment of presidential electors. Text, precedent, and historical practice confirm this “day for the election” is the day by which ballots must be both cast by voters and received by state officials. Because Mississippi’s statute allows ballot receipt up to five days after the federal election day, it is preempted by federal law. We reverse the district court’s contrary judgment and remand for further proceedings.

US Supreme Court to Hear Ballot Deadline Case

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton announced today that the Supreme Court of the United States has granted review in a landmark election integrity case brought on behalf of the Libertarian Party of Mississippi. The case seeks to uphold a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which struck down a Mississippi law unconstitutionally allowing election officials to count mail-in ballots received up to five days after Election Day. Fitton stated:

The Supreme Court now has an opportunity to reaffirm that “Election Day” means what it says under federal law. Counting ballots received after Election Day not only violates federal law but encourages voter fraud and undermines voter confidence. The Supreme Court should uphold the historic decision by the Fifth Circuit that sensibly concluded that counting ballots received after Election Day is unlawful.”

Mississippi Declares Health Emergency Over Increasing Infant Mortality Rate

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) today [08/21/25] declared a public health emergency in response to rising infant mortality rates across the state.  Mississippi's 2024 data shows the overall infant mortality rate has increased to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is the highest in more than a decade.  In Mississippi, 3,527 babies died before the age of 1 since 2014.

“Too many Mississippi families are losing their babies before their first birthday,” said State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney. “This is deeply personal to me — not just as a physician, but as a father and grandfather. Every single infant loss represents a family devastated, a community impacted and a future cut short. We cannot and will not accept these numbers as our reality. Declaring this a public health emergency is more than a policy decision; it is an urgent commitment to save lives. Mississippi has the knowledge, the resources and the resilience to change this story. It will take all of us — policymakers, healthcare providers, communities and families — working together to give every child the chance to live, thrive and celebrate their first birthday.”