Gov. Phil Bryant signed Wednesday’s executive order establishing a task team to improve literacy among children in the Mississippi public schools. This committee was formed as a result a 2015 study by the Barksdale Reading Institute and the state Institutes for Higher Learning that focused on improving the literacy of students in grades K-3. Over the course of more then a year, specific areas were identified for improvement. The study’s three main recommendations were “adopting research based practices at all levels of reading education, bringing consistent early-literacy course material to teachers, and directly including educators in shaping policy, practice, and policy.” Bryant’s proclamation stated that Bryant was creating the task force to suggest practical mechanisms and time frames to allow teachers, coaches, and supervisors of K-3 instruction to gain a working knowledge about cognitive and educational science. The task force will consist of Mississippi teachers and an employee of the reading center, as well as employees of the IHL and Department of Education, and the governor’s staff. These plans will be made available to the public by the committee, which will make recommendations to Governor Scott by October 31. James Barksdale is a member of the Mississippi Today board. He founded The Barksdale Reading Institute. The Mississippi Today board chairwoman is Donna Barksdale. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to Mississippi Today today. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of all Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think.