When you think about Mississippi, what's the first thing that comes to mind? If you played backyard

football or flag football, it might be one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi. That's the way

we used to count before you could rush the quarterback and try to stop the play. The name is so long

that gave you time because you didn't have blockers. So you had to make up things so you could get the game to work.

Or it might be spelling it really fast.

M-I-S-S-I-S-I-P-P-I.

The word is so tricky, the easiest way to spell it was to do it really fast in rhythm so you didn't have to really think about it.

When you think about Mississippi, you may picture the Old South, some nostalgic things, Elvis, catfish, sweet tea, southern hospitality. And if we're

being honest, there were some ugly times, too. Civil rights struggles, slavery, some really, really ugly

parts of our country.

But there's a different story today, one that you probably don't think about when you think

about today's Mississippi, because it is becoming known as a shining example of excellence

in American education.

That's right.

These aren't just dumb hillbilly southerners down there.

The headlines tell the real story.

Mississippi's reading triumph is no miracle.

It's the future of education.

Think about that.

Mississippi, the future of education.

Another headline states nationwide turn to Mississippi for literacy solutions as reading crisis spreads.

Another headline, Mississippi's education miracle, a model for global literacy reform, while education is floundering across much of the country.

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