Atlanta – KIPP Atlanta Schools announced that Michael Cormack Jr. began his tenure as chief executive officer in March 2026. Cormack, the first Black male CEO in the network’s history, arrives with more than twenty years of experience, including a stint as deputy superintendent of Jackson Public Schools in Mississippi.
From Mississippi’s reading turnaround to Atlanta
During his time in Mississippi, the state rose from near the bottom of national fourth‑grade reading rankings to the top ten between 2013 and 2024. Black fourth‑graders in the state ranked third nationally in 2024, according to the Mississippi Department of Education. Cormack attributes that progress to a coordinated focus on the science of reading, intensive teacher and principal training, and the deployment of literacy coaches.
He helped launch the Barksdale Reading Institute, which contributed to Mississippi’s 2013 Literacy‑Based Promotion Act. “We insisted that every elementary teacher, every principal, understood the foundational skills necessary to support students to read,” Cormack said.
New strategic plan for KIPP Atlanta
KIPP Atlanta’s four‑year strategic plan, titled “Excellent Schools, Expansive Futures,” sets ambitious benchmarks for 2030. The network aims to double the percentage of students scoring proficient or distinguished in English language arts from 25 % to 50 % and to raise the proportion of high‑school graduates earning a four‑year college degree within six years from 32 % to 64 %.
To reach those goals, Cormack says the district will continue emphasizing phonics, phonological awareness, and high‑quality literacy coaching. He also highlighted the importance of selecting coaches who demonstrate proven results and a deep understanding of reading science.
Technology and classroom presence
In addition to the literacy focus, KIPP Atlanta is piloting CourseMojo, an artificial‑intelligence‑powered teaching assistant for middle‑school classrooms. The tool provides students with feedback on written responses without simply giving away answers. “We need to, as educators, understand these emerging technologies and leverage them so that our scholars are supported in using them in a way that really deepens their own thinking,” Cormack explained.
Cormack also noted that he frequently visits classrooms to observe curriculum implementation and hear directly from teachers—a practice he says is uncommon for a CEO but essential for staying connected to student needs.
Vision for families and faith communities
Rooted in a family of educators and his own experience with Teach For America, Cormack frames his mission in terms of giving students “the opportunity to pursue their own choice‑filled lives.” He stresses collaboration with families, churches, and community partners to create an environment where reading is both purposeful and enjoyable.
As National Literacy Month draws attention to the importance of reading, KIPP Atlanta’s new leadership offers a clear, data‑driven roadmap for improving outcomes across the city’s charter schools.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
