Florida’s recent decline in reading and math achievement should prompt education leaders to look closely at the “Southern Surge” states, such as Louisiana and Tennessee, that have made gains by emphasizing knowledge-centered curricula. While Florida has long been a national education reform leader, new data show students remain below pre-pandemic achievement levels, especially in literacy. The piece highlights how coherent, content-rich curricula can strengthen reading comprehension as students move beyond phonics into more advanced learning, and urges Florida policymakers to consider curriculum reform as a key strategy for improving student outcomes.