TExpL vs Science-of-Reading: Governor Mifflin's $2 Million Gamble That Isn't Paying Off

Governor Mifflin's $2M+ investment in Alvernia's TExpL program shows no improvement in reading scores while Mississippi's $381/teacher Science-of-Reading approach achieved historic NAEP gains. With a $31.4M deficit and $183M debt, GMSD's cozy insider arrangement demands scrutiny.

An Investigation into Competing Models, Conflicting Results, and Troubling Governance Governor Mifflin School District has poured unprecedented resources into Alvernia University's Total Experience Learning (TExpL) graduate program for teachers—four-credit courses at roughly $1,548 each that promise "revolutionary" student-centered instruction. Meanwhile, Mississippi's schools embraced Science-of-Reading (SoR) reforms with explicit phonics training and dedicated literacy coaches— to dramatic effect . Our investigation finds that GMSD's TExpL approach has not translated into better reading outcomes or fiscal health—while Mississippi's SoR strategy coincides with historic NAEP gains. KEYSTONE RESULTS: GOVERNOR MIFFLIN TRAILS STATE BENCHMARKS State data show GMSD students lagging in core subjects : 44% GMSD English Proficiency vs 49.9% statewide 25.7% GMSD Algebra I Proficiency vs 41.7% statewide Source: Future Ready PA Index - Governor Mifflin MS Assessment Data (2024-25 Keystone Results) These figures fall far short of Pennsylvania's 2033 proficiency goals ( 81% in English, 72% in Math ) and miss even the general state average. Four years of TExpL-inspired professional development has not moved GMSD toward proficiency. MISSISSIPPI'S SCIENCE-OF-READING: THE MODEL THAT WORKS By contrast, Mississippi's students are outperforming national norms under its Science-of-Reading overhaul. In 2024, Mississippi became the FIRST STATE EVER to exceed the national average in 4th-grade reading. 41% of Mississippi 4th graders scored proficient or above (national avg: 39%)—up from just 26% in 2013. Source: Mississippi First - 2024 NAEP Analysis | MS Dept of Education NAEP Rankings Mississippi's NAEP reading rank leapt to 9th nationally . These gains coincided with statewide adoption of LETRS literacy training and coaching—far outpacing declines seen in most states. "More than 15,000 Mississippi teachers trained in LETRS helped propel [us to the] No. 1 spot for gains in 4th-grade reading." — Former Mississippi State Superintendent Carey Wright THE COST COMPARISON: AN EXPLOSIVE BUDGET GAP GMSD has bet big on TExpL—reimbursing each teacher up to four expensive courses. TRAINING COST PER TEACHER $6,192 TExpL (GMSD) $381 LETRS (Mississippi) TExpL costs 16x MORE than LETRS per teacher Source: LETRS Program Cost Documentation 2022-2024 For GMSD's ~271 teachers: TExpL Total: ~$1.68 MILLION in tuition reimbursements LETRS Alternative: ~$206,000 (even with 2-year sequence) Potential Savings: Over $1 MILLION annually Source: NCES District Data - Governor Mifflin SD GMSD'S FINANCIAL CRISIS: ALREADY DEEPLY UNDERWATER This matters because GMSD's books are already in crisis . -$31.4M Net Deficit (FY2025) Liabilities exceed assets by $31.4 million $183M Long-Term Debt Total debt obligations Source: Governor Mifflin School District FY2025 Financial Audit In plain terms: GMSD owes far more than it owns. Pouring millions into "innovation" courses with no clear benefit strains an already dire balance sheet. District auditors have repeatedly flagged this deficit. GOVERNANCE RED FLAGS: THE COZY TExpL–ALVERNIA ALLIANCE Beyond student outcomes and dollar signs, the governance of this partnership raises serious red flags . DUAL ROLES THAT DEMAND SCRUTINY: Bill McKay , former GMSD Superintendent, is a Graduate Teaching Administrator at the TExpL Institute Janemarie McKay , current GMSD School Board member, also serves as a Graduate Teaching Administrator for TExpL The person who ran the district and a sitting board member both help run the Alvernia program that bills GMSD. "This dual-role governance has fueled community outrage... the basis for the most severe criticisms of the program." Contracts worth millions flow from GMSD to Alvernia's TExpL Institute—yet those directing the district's vision have a financial stake in Alvernia's training entity. Are innovative outcomes improving—or are district dollars simply cycling back to insiders? SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON: THE DATA SPEAKS Metric Governor Mifflin Mississippi Training Cost/Teacher ~$6,192 ~$381/year Reading Proficiency 44% (below state avg) 41% (above national avg) Instructional Focus Project-based, student-choice Systematic phonics/skills-based Governance Supt. & Board member run program State-directed, DOE oversight District Finances -$31.4M deficit, $183M debt State-funded initiative THE PHILOSOPHICAL SPLIT The divide couldn't be wider: TExpL Approach Student passion projects Inquiry-based learning Teachers as "guides on the side" Focus on engagement over fundamentals Result: Flat or falling test scores Science-of-Reading Structured literacy Systematic phonics mastery K-3 teachers trained in language fundamentals Evidence-based instruction Result: Record NAEP gains Source: Alvernia University - GMSD Partnership Profile | Lexia Learning - Mississippi LETRS Implementation THE BOTTOM LINE Governor Mifflin's $2 million-plus bet on TExpL has not yielded better literacy or financial footing. Meanwhile, Mississippi's evidence-backed literacy overhaul— far cheaper per teacher —has produced national-leading gains . As GMSD faces a budget crisis, the district must rethink priorities. Tough questions linger: Why continue an expensive, insular program with so little to show? Why are taxpayer dollars flowing to a program run by district insiders? When will GMSD adopt proven, cost-effective literacy methods? Paying Alvernia's TExpL facilitators looks less like innovation— and more like returning local tax dollars to a small circle of insiders. The data and district books both tell the story: It's time for GMSD to consider the proven Science of Reading model—for students' sake and the taxpayers' peace of mind. SOURCES GMSD Financial Audit FY2025 Future Ready PA Index - GMSD Assessment Data (2024-25 Keystone Results) Mississippi 2024 NAEP Results LETRS Program Cost 2022-2024 GMSD Mustang Profile - Alvernia Partnership NCES District Data