As far as I can tell this article uses the exact same statistical analysis that every other educational achievement article in the world does. What are they doing that is statistically unsound? How does this article "reek" of it other than the fact that you don't seem to like the implication that a deeply conservative state is making positive strides in educational policy?

Mississippi's kids are doing 1.5 grade levels better in reading than they were 20 years ago. That's an objectively good thing. Maine's kids are doing 1.5 grade levels worse than they were 20 years ago. That's an objectively bad thing.

It makes sense to look at why.