Christy Hovanetz, Ph.D., is a Senior Policy Fellow for ExcelinEd focusing on school accountability and math policies.
The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results reveal a stark reality: Many states are still struggling to recover from pandemic-related learning losses in reading and math … and most weren’t doing that great before the pandemic either.
Fourth and eighth grade reading scores have declined by an average of five points since 2019. And while fourth grade math showed minor improvement from 2022, scores remain three points behind 2019 scores, and eighth grade math remains nine points below pre-pandemic levels, roughly a full grade level behind.
Despite these challenges, some states are proving that bold policy leadership makes a difference. Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Indiana have shown notable gains in reading and math proficiency, thanks to evidence-based policies, accountability systems and targeted investments in student learning.
The 2024 NAEP results show Mississippi:
Key Policies That Drove Mississippi’s Success:
Mississippi’s rise in student achievement was not the result of a miracle—it was a strategic, long-term commitment to evidence-based policy.
Mississippi implemented its A-F school accountability system, ensuring schools were transparently measured on whether students were on grade level, and growth, with extra emphasis on students who had historically struggled the most.
In 2013, based on results from the school accountability system, the state passed the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, embracing the science of reading to transform early literacy instruction. This policy ensured that classrooms moved away from ineffective methods and instead incorporated structured, research-backed approaches to teaching reading.
Mississippi leaders also made strategic investments in reading coaches, who were deployed to schools across the state to train and mentor teachers on best practices in literacy instruction. Mississippi also recognized that improving outcomes required a targeted approach, so it prioritized interventions for low-performing students. This included aligning curriculum more closely with state standards, expanding parent and district involvement, and holding schools accountable for ensuring growth among their most at-risk learners.
The results of these efforts are now undeniable. Mississippi’s fourth-grade Black students have risen to third in the nation in both reading and math, and Hispanic and low-income students have claimed the top spots in reading and second place in math nationwide.
The 2024 NAEP results show notable student gains in Louisiana:
Key Policies That Improved Outcomes:
Louisiana’s education turnaround has been a story of persistence and consistency in high expectations.
Between 2005 and 2014, the state made a bold decision to close the gap between its own state assessments and NAEP standards, ensuring that proficiency on Louisiana’s Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)—its criterion-referenced test—actually reflected readiness aligned to national expectations. This was a major shift, as it required raising the bar for students and teachers alike. But the state stood firm—a model for other states across the country to follow. Over time, the number of students achieving “mastery or above” on the more rigorous LEAP more than quadrupled.
Recognizing that access to high-quality learning materials plays a crucial role in student success, Louisiana leaders continued expanding educational support programs.
In 2023, the state launched READ Louisiana, a partnership with Scholastic designed to combat pandemic learning loss by providing free books and tutoring to students who needed it most. This initiative, coupled with Louisiana’s “Back-to-Basics” school accountability system, ensured that data on student achievement was clear and accessible—empowering families, educators and policymakers to act where needed.
Today, these policies are helping Louisiana students reach new heights. In 2024, the state’s fourth graders ranked 15th in the nation for reading—their highest-ever placement on the Nation’s Report Card. Louisiana’s recent adoption of its “Back-to-Basics” school accountability system, which focuses on rigorous expectations, transparent calculation and reporting, makes it among the strongest in the nation and will result in the continued upward trajectory of student achievement.
The 2024 NAEP results show Tennessee improved in fourth and eighth grade reading and math, elevating their rank by 10 or more spots:
Key Policies That Made a Difference:
Tennessee’s approach to educational improvement has been deliberate, rooted in the belief that strong accountability leads to better student outcomes.
In 2014, the Tennessee State Board of Education began gathering input from educators, researchers and community leaders on how to raise expectations for student achievement. By 2017, higher standards were fully implemented in classrooms and on state assessments, ensuring that students were being prepared for success beyond high school.
Even with these improvements, Tennessee saw the need to continue refining its accountability system making it more rigorous and transparent.
In 2023, the state adopted the Mathematics Support Act, a groundbreaking policy that completely restructured the way math is taught and learned. This act placed a heavy emphasis on ensuring educators receive the training and resources needed to teach math effectively, while also ensuring that curriculum and assessments were aligned with the skills students needed to master at each grade level.
As a result, Tennessee has seen significant jumps in national rankings. In 2024, the state improved its position by an average of 10 places across reading and math, making notable progress in fourth grade math, where students now rank 12th in the country.
The 2024 NAEP results show Indiana students mostly continued making gains in math and reading:
Key Policies That Supported Indiana’s Growth:
Indiana’s steady climb in national rankings is no accident—it’s the direct result of a long-term commitment to A-F school accountability and a strong, research-backed commitment to improving literacy and math instruction.
Following years of post-pandemic learning challenges, state leaders prioritized high-quality instructional content and evidence-based interventions to help struggling students regain lost ground.
A cornerstone of Indiana’s approach has been a $111 million investment in literacy coaching. This initiative ensures that teachers receive expert training on how to teach reading effectively and provides schools and classroom teachers with dedicated literacy coaches. By the 2025-26 school year, the state aims to have 60% of elementary schools staffed with a literacy coach, ensuring that all students—regardless of background—receive the support they need to become proficient readers.
Indiana is also taking bold steps to improve teacher preparation. A new policy set to take effect in 2025 will require all applicants for a Professional Educator License to earn an early literacy endorsement. This ensures that every new teacher, regardless of their subject area, has a strong foundation in teaching reading skills—a move that will have a lasting impact on student achievement.
The results of Indiana’s foundational school accountability and early literacy policies are already becoming clear. In 2024, Indiana broke into the top 10 in both fourth and eighth grade reading. The state is poised to continue this progress with a continued command focus on learning fundamentals.
While some states are making progress, others continue to struggle, particularly in math and middle school grades. States can stand strong on school accountability, assessments and foundational learning in math and reading and make policy improvements to prevent stagnation, particularly in eighth grade math. So, what can struggling states learn from Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Indiana?
Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Indiana have proven that smart, student-centered reforms lead to real improvements in reading and math proficiency.
Now, it’s time for other states to follow their lead. State lawmakers, education leaders and policymakers can act now to adopt bold and proven policy solutions that will set students on a path to life-long success.
Want to learn more? Contact the ExcelinEd policy team to discuss proven education policies that improve student outcomes.
