Mississippi Bolsters 'Miracle' with New Tiered Literacy Intervention

JACKSON, MS – January 22, 2026 – In a move that reinforces its national reputation for literacy reform, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has approved a new, integrated literacy solution from Really Great Reading (RGR) and OxEd, a University of Oxford spinout. The approval adds the joint program to the state's coveted list of pre-approved vendors for Tier II and Tier III interventions, making it accessible to districts statewide as they continue to build on the success of the 'Mississippi Miracle.'

This decision provides schools with a powerful new tool designed to support struggling readers by combining foundational phonics instruction with advanced oral language development, a dual approach grounded in the Science of Reading. The partnership between RGR, an established American literacy provider, and OxEd, a global leader in language assessment, signals a deepening commitment to evidence-based practices that deliver measurable results for all students.

Continuing a Legacy of Literacy Reform

Mississippi's journey from the bottom of national literacy rankings to a celebrated model of educational success provides a critical backdrop for this latest development. In 2013, the state was ranked last in fourth-grade reading proficiency on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). That year, lawmakers enacted the landmark Literacy-Based Promotion Act (LBPA), a comprehensive policy that pivoted the state's entire instructional approach toward the Science of Reading.

The LBPA mandated systematic, explicit reading instruction, funded extensive professional development for thousands of K-3 teachers through programs like LETRS (Language Essentials for Teaching Reading and Spelling), and deployed a statewide network of literacy coaches to provide on-the-ground support. The state legislature backed this commitment with millions in annual funding for screeners, training, and coaching.

The results have been dramatic. By 2019, Mississippi was the only state to show statistically significant gains in fourth-grade reading, and by 2022, its students had achieved the largest proficiency jump of any state over the preceding decade. The state's approval of the RGR-OxEd solution is seen by experts as the next logical step in this sustained, data-driven effort—moving beyond foundational instruction to provide more sophisticated, targeted support for students who require it most.

Beyond Phonics: An Integrated Approach to Intervention

The newly approved solution is notable for its comprehensive design, which directly addresses the complex needs of students in Tier II and Tier III intervention settings. These tiers within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework are designed for students who need more focused, supplemental, or intensive instruction than what is provided in the general classroom.

Really Great Reading provides the structured literacy backbone of the program. For over two decades, its programs have focused on delivering systematic and explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, decoding, and orthographic mapping—the mental process of storing words for instant retrieval. This approach is designed to build strong foundational skills essential for all readers, particularly those with disabilities or characteristics of dyslexia.

What makes the joint offering unique is the integration of OxEd's specialized oral language tools. Spun out from decades of research at the University of Oxford, OxEd's assessments and interventions focus on a critical precursor to reading: a child's ability to understand and use spoken language. Research supporting OxEd's methods shows its intervention can drive up to seven months of additional language growth. By pairing this with RGR's foundational reading instruction, educators can identify and address the root causes of reading difficulties, not just the symptoms.

This integrated model allows teachers to gain early, precise insights into a student's specific needs, whether they lie in phonics, vocabulary, or language comprehension. The data gathered from both components enables the delivery of highly personalized instruction, a key requirement for effective Tier II and Tier III support for diverse learners, including Emergent Bilinguals.

Navigating a Demanding and Evidence-Driven Market

Gaining a spot on Mississippi's pre-approved vendor list is a significant achievement, reflecting a rigorous vetting process that prioritizes proven effectiveness. The MDE requires that all approved interventions not only align with the Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards (MCCRS) but also demonstrate a clear, measurable impact on student outcomes. This emphasis on evidence sets a high bar in an increasingly crowded EdTech market.

The RGR-OxEd solution will enter a competitive landscape that includes established providers like Amplify, Lexia Learning, and Curriculum Associates, whose i-Ready and Ready programs are already used in over 80% of Mississippi's districts. However, the partnership's unique blend of foundational skills and oral language, backed by robust research, offers a distinct value proposition.

Really Great Reading's programs are supported by multiple tiers of ESSA-aligned evidence and have received 'green' ratings from the independent curriculum evaluator EdReports.org. Recent third-party analyses have confirmed statistically significant improvements in foundational skills for students using RGR's programs, with gains sustained over time and observed across historically marginalized student groups.

This focus on demonstrable results is precisely what Mississippi officials are looking for. As Karl Rectanus, CEO of Really Great Reading, stated in the announcement, accountability is paramount. "Literacy is at an inflection point, and approval alone is not the goal," he said. "Districts deserve evidence that instruction is improving student outcomes. This approval expands access to solutions designed to help educators identify what works, strengthen instruction, and deliver measurable, sustained reading gains. That level of accountability has fueled the 'Mississippi Miracle', making the state a model for literacy success for all."

From State Approval to Classroom Implementation

With the MDE's stamp of approval, the focus now shifts to district-level adoption and implementation. Mississippi's established infrastructure provides a strong foundation for success. The state legislature continues to appropriate annual funding to reimburse districts for approved screeners and to support the professional development and coaching mandated by the LBPA. These existing funding streams can be leveraged by districts to purchase and implement new, approved interventions like the RGR-OxEd solution.

Support for schools extends beyond funding. The MDE's Office of Intervention Services provides ongoing training on the MTSS framework, and the state's literacy coaches remain a vital resource for teachers and principals. Both Really Great Reading and OxEd also bring their own extensive support systems, including professional learning, coaching, and practical, classroom-ready tools designed to translate research into practice.

Even with this robust support, challenges remain. Successful implementation will require districts to ensure the new tools are integrated thoughtfully with existing curricula and that teachers receive the sustained training necessary to use them effectively. The consistent use of data to monitor student progress and adjust instruction will be crucial for realizing the full potential of this powerful new intervention. By adding this evidence-backed solution to their arsenal, Mississippi's educators are newly equipped to continue the difficult but rewarding work of ensuring every child becomes a proficient reader.