Maryland has slipped in national education rankings while Mississippi has surged upward, according to the 2026 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The new rankings show Maryland at 20th for education, down seven spots from 2016, while Mississippi rose to 16th after moving up 31 places over the same period.
What the report measured
The Kids Count Data Book compares states on child well-being indicators that include preschool attendance, math and reading proficiency and high school graduation rates. The foundation’s annual ranking is widely used by policymakers and advocates to gauge broad trends in education and child outcomes.
Officials and explanations
Mississippi State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans told WBFF’s Project Baltimore the improvement is the result of steady, long-term strategies rather than quick fixes.
“We're obviously excited about it. It’s not a miracle. It’s a marathon.”
Evans said Mississippi has avoided frequent changes to testing and policy and pointed to the state’s continued use of the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program since 2015 as an example of consistency.
Local Maryland officials have pushed back on the state’s decline in national measures, saying rankings do not capture the full context of Maryland’s investments and student needs. The report and the responses it has prompted are likely to shape conversations this fall as state leaders review education priorities.
Spending versus outcomes
The report highlights a notable contrast in per-student spending: federal census data for 2024 cited in coverage show Maryland public schools spent $20,208 per student, while Mississippi spent $12,324 per student. The census figures do not adjust for regional cost-of-living differences.
| State | 2016 Education Rank | 2026 Education Rank | Spending per Student (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 13 | 20 | $20,208 |
| Mississippi | 47 | 16 | $12,324 |
What this means for Maryland residents
- Parents and community members can expect renewed debate over curriculum, testing and how money is allocated to schools.
- State lawmakers and the Maryland State Department of Education may face pressure to explain the slide and propose changes.
- Advocacy groups are likely to use the report to press for targeted interventions in early childhood education, literacy and graduation supports.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Book is an annual snapshot, not a final judgment. Still, the shift in rankings — and the stark contrast between spending and outcomes — will be a focal point for educators and policymakers across Maryland as they prepare for discussions on budget priorities and school performance reviews.
— Darius Holloway, Maryland Correspondent
