How Mississippi Transformed Its Schools From Worst to Best

How Mississippi Transformed Its Schools From Worst to Best

In Kim Luckett-Langston’s first year as principal of Hazlehurst Elementary School, one of the lowest performing schools in what had been one of the lowest performing states, she quickly diagnosed the problem. Children at her school, outside Jackson, Miss., were suffering from what she calls A.B.T.: “Ain’t been taught.” Kindergartners arrived not knowing their letters from their numbers. After a few years in school, they were still far behind. A …