Texas Border Business
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon today announced the appointment of former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant to the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB). He fills one of two seats designated for state governors from different political parties.
NAGB is the policy board that oversees the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) – otherwise known as The Nation’s Report Card. The Board sets the NAEP achievement levels and determines which grades and subjects to assess and what content to include in assessments.
“Governor Bryant brings an important state perspective to the National Assessment Governing Board. During his tenure, he signed Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act into law, which kicked off the state’s remarkable literacy growth which is aptly known as the ‘Mississippi Miracle,’” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “I am grateful for his willingness to serve and look forward to the great work he will do on the Board.”
Governor Bryant is Secretary McMahon’s fourth appointment to NAGB. The Secretary appointed Kymyona Burk, Michael Sidebotham, and Scott Marion earlier this year, and will fill the remaining vacancies in the coming months.
About Former Governor Phil Bryant:
Phil Bryant served as Mississippi’s governor from 2012 to 2020, where he led broad education reforms in early childhood, teacher pay, charter schools, school accountability, special education, career-technical training programs, and establishing scholarships for Mississippi students pursuing careers as public school teachers. He also led the state’s literacy reforms including teacher training on the science of reading, additional support for at-risk students, and implementing a 3rd grade literacy retention policy.
Governor Bryant served as Mississippi’s lieutenant governor, state auditor, and a state legislator. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree from Mississippi College, where he also received an honorary doctorate of laws degree.
