Waypoint continues to support the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University in its vital mission to track and communicate academic recovery data across the United States. Through our work on the Education Recovery Scorecard, we help translate complex district-level data into actionable insights for leaders and the media.

The impact of this work was recently showcased in a powerful New York Times column by Nicholas Kristof, titled “These Three Red States Are the Best Hope in Schooling.” The article explores the remarkable academic gains in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana—states that have defied expectations by prioritizing metrics, accountability, and the “science of reading.”

Kristof highlights the research of our partner, Dr. Tom Kane of Harvard, who notes that these “Southern Surge” states prove that evidence-based policies and meticulous execution can lift student trajectories regardless of geography or budget. As Dr. Kane told the Times: “States around the country have a lot to learn from what Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana are doing.” Waypoint is honored to amplify these findings, ensuring that the “no excuses” success of these states serves as a roadmap for educational equity nationwide.