JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi students are among the top performers in the country, according to a new study. The 2026 Kids Count Data Book ranks Mississippi 16th in the nation for education. This marks the second year in a row the state has held this ranking. “Ranked 16th in the nation, we’ll take it any day, any time,” said Dr. Darein Spann, president of the Mississippi Association of Educators.