Hinds Today

U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today applauded the unanimous Senate passage of a resolution designating September 2024 as “National Literacy Month.” The resolution aims to encourage greater strides in improving literacy for K-12 students nationwide.

Wicker and Hyde-Smith, who cosponsored the resolution, highlighted Mississippi’s role as a national leader in literacy progress through what has been termed the “Mississippi Miracle.” Over the past decade, fourth-grade reading test scores in Mississippi have significantly improved. This achievement is attributed to an evidence-based reading strategy known as the “science of reading,” which has helped boost state National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores to record highs.

“Literacy lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning, and Mississippi has become a national model for improving these skills,” Senator Wicker stated. “This resolution is an important way to recognize the value of student literacy and the strides we have made in reading programs in Mississippi. I look forward to other states following our lead and experiencing the ‘Mississippi Miracle’ for themselves.”

Senator Hyde-Smith added, “While the educational progress made in Mississippi schools is commendable, we must also acknowledge that there’s more to do to improve literacy and reading proficiency among all Mississippians. This bipartisan resolution highlights the fact that our personal lives, as well as the wellbeing of our nation, rely on a strong, literate American population.”

Nationally, a 2022 NAEP report card indicated that two-thirds of fourth and eighth graders are unable to read proficiently. Additionally, a 2020 study by Gallup in partnership with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy estimated that low levels of adult literacy could be costing America up to $2.2 trillion annually.

The National Parents Union, Ed Trust, and Educators for Excellence endorsed Senate support for this resolution. It was introduced by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and HELP Ranking Member Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.).

Full text of S.Res.814 can be found here.