Kids reading scores have soared in Deep South states. Mississippi went from being ranked the second worst state in 2013 for fourth grade reading to 21st in 2022, Louisiana and Alabama were among only three states to see modest gains in fourth grade reading during the pandemic. This has been one of the most rewarding years of my career. Simone Hart is a literacy teacher at Schoenberg elementary school in New Orleans. The growth I've seen in these children have given me new purpose. These states have passed laws that emphasize phonics in early screenings for struggling kids. Joshua Lasty is a second grader. The aim is to catch problems with reading early. I'm Ed Donahue