Mississippi Overtakes Oregon in Fourth Grade Reading
Mississippi's fourth graders now outscore Oregon on the nation's report card after a 2013 literacy law shifted state reading instruction.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Primary Education
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Mississippi fourth graders scored 12 points higher than Oregon students on the nation's report card in 2024, reversing a 10-point Oregon lead in 2013. The change followed Mississippi's Literacy-Based Promotion Act, passed in 2013, which moved the state to explicit systematic phonics instruction.
Why it matters
The reversal, a 22-point swing over 11 years, suggests that how early reading is taught and supported can move state outcomes substantially. For parents and educators across the United States, it raises questions about which elements of Mississippi's approach may be transferable.
Mississippi's literacy initiative invests about $15 million a year, while Oregon's Early Literacy Initiative, established in 2023, spends $50 million for roughly the same number of students. Mississippi also universally screens students three times a year and uses specialized literacy coaches.
The players
Mississippi Department of Education
The state agency responsible for public K-12 education in Mississippi, which oversees implementation of the state's literacy standards and promotion requirements.
Oregon Department of Education
The state agency responsible for public K-12 education in Oregon, which administers the state's Early Literacy Initiative.
The details
Mississippi shifted from balanced literacy to explicit systematic phonics and requires third graders to meet the state reading standard to advance to fourth grade unless they qualify for an exception. Oregon, which has no third-grade reading promotion requirement, launched its Early Literacy Initiative in 2023. Mississippi also provides intensive, specific teacher training.
Timeline
2013: Mississippi passes the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, and Oregon fourth graders outscore Mississippi by 10 points.
2023: Oregon establishes its Early Literacy Initiative.
2024: Mississippi fourth graders surpass Oregon by 12 points on the nation's report card.
Roadmap
Mississippi's Literacy-Based Promotion Act of 2013 is the reference point against which the state's reading gains are now measured. The 2024 nation's report card results show that the law's approach has moved the state from near the bottom of the country into the top 10 in fourth grade reading.
Parents in other states may see school-level literacy screening and third-grade promotion policies become a more common topic in local school board discussions. The approach could affect how early reading support is funded and scheduled for students in the coming years.
The takeaway
Early reading gains can compound quickly when instruction is explicit, teachers are well trained, and struggling readers are identified early. Families interested in how their own state compares can check state-level results on the nation's report card.
Further reading
For more on how states are approaching early reading instruction, explore Primary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KATU.
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