AIDEN BUZZETTI: To See Conservative Education Policies Triumph, Look South

A recent New York Times article portrayed conservative-led education reform as a political performance — more concerned with fighting “woke” ideology than improving student outcomes. The implication is familiar: that Republican efforts in education are all about culture wars, not classrooms. But this telling misses the bigger picture. Beneath the headlines, some of the most meaningful — and effective — education reforms in America today are being driven by conservative leadership. Just look at Mississippi and Louisiana.

These two deep-red states are not exactly known for boasting about education excellence. In fact, for decades, they have struggled near the bottom of the national rankings. But over the last several years, they’ve become two of the most closely watched examples of what’s possible when policymakers take education seriously — and when they are willing to challenge stale systems and tired assumptions.

Let’s start with Mississippi. In 2013, state lawmakers adopted a bold, conservative reform strategy centered on early literacy. They passed the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, requiring third graders to demonstrate reading proficiency before advancing. They shifted teacher training to emphasize phonics and the “science of reading,” a research-based approach that had long been ignored in favor of more trendy, less effective methods. They set higher standards and focused relentlessly on outcomes.

The results speak for themselves. In 2019 — before the pandemic’s disruptions — Mississippi’s fourth-grade reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) surged past the national average for the first time. And even as other states saw post-pandemic declines, Mississippi has maintained its gains. Black students in Mississippi now outperform Black students in most other states — a stunning turnaround that few would have predicted a decade ago.

Louisiana has followed a similar path. State leaders implemented reforms aimed at getting back to basics — literacy and math. They’ve invested in early-grade teacher training, curriculum overhauls, and targeted interventions like high-dosage tutoring. Instead of playing to education fads or chasing buzzwords, they’ve doubled down on core academic skills. And while progress takes time, early signs are encouraging. Louisiana was the