The Mississippi Miracle: How Mississippi Improved Reading Scores
June 17, 2026
Description
On Wednesday, June 17th at 12:00 PM (CDT) KSBRC hosted an informational webinar delving into the “miraculous” improvement in reading and math scores in Mississippi.
The unprecedented improvements in fourth grade reading and math scores that occurred in Mississippi between 1998 and 2024, moving them from the worst in the country to among the highest, was labeled a “miracle.” State departments of education and individual districts are trying to figure out the secret to Mississippi’s success in hopes of emulating the results. However, the reality is far more complex than most might expect.
Douglas Carswell will explore the key innovations, difficult decisions, and unwavering commitment to systemic change that created Mississippi’s “miracle.”
Panelist: Douglas Carswell
Douglas Carswell is a leader of the liberty movement with experience building high-performing teams that achieve change. For the past five years, he has led a state-based think tank in Mississippi, securing a string of free-market reforms, including major labor market deregulation in 2021, comprehensive tax reform in 2022, school funding reforms in 2024, and legislation to eliminate the income tax in 2025.
Having been a laggard for decades, Mississippi is now one of the fastest-growing states in America.
Previously a Member of the British Parliament for 12 years, Douglas co-founded Vote Leave, the official Brexit campaign. Re-elected every time he ran, Douglas achieved one of the largest swings in any election in British history when he called a special election on himself to secure the Brexit vote.
Douglas was born in Britain, raised in Uganda, but came to America by choice.
He is the author of five books, as well as Milestones, a radical policy blue print for the reforms Britain needs. He served as a non-executive director at the UK Department of for International Trade, helping secure free trade deals around the world.
Douglas lives in Flowood, with his wife, Clementine, daughter, Kitty, and Crumble, the dog.