2020's States with the Best & Worst School Systems

[left-of-center2012]

2020’s States with the Best & Worst School Systems

Unlike other research that focuses primarily on academic outcomes or school finance, WalletHub’s analysis takes a more comprehensive approach. It accounts for performance, funding, safety, class size and instructor credentials.
To determine the top-performing school systems in America, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 33 key metrics.
Read on for our findings, expert insight from a panel of researchers and a full description of our methodology.

Top 10:

1 Massachusetts
2 Connecticut
3 New Jersey
4 Virginia
5 Vermont
6 New Hampshire
7 Minnesota
8 Wisconsin
9 Delaware
10 Maryland

https://wallethub.com/edu/e/states-with-the-best-schools/5335/

[ProfessorGAC]

1. One Surprised Me

They listed California at 37th.
I'm surprised they would be that far down the list.
I've been there a lot, although never lived there, and people seemed generally well educated & informed.
Did they used to be much higher?
Anybody know?

[chowder66]

3. +1

[Merlot]

6. Possibly because California has such a large population?

I also expected it to be higher.

[StevieM]

2. I am very surprised that Sam Brownback didn't do more damage to the Kansas school system.

He certainly damaged that state in countless other ways.

[phylny]

4. There are parts of Virginia with outstanding schools, but not my part.

We lived in Loudoun County, VA from 2000 to 2004. and the schools were excellent. Now we're in Bedford County and the schools are fair. Our kids are grown, but I still wish for better for my county system.

[lpbk2713]

5. I'm surprised Florida is in the top half.

I have kids and grandkids who attended Florida (Polk County) schools and I beg to differ.

[Squinch]

7. Interesting. The safety ratings are a real surprise. Idaho and Arkansas are the least safe.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. Almost every state will have better and worse districts.

New Mexico, which is 51st, has Los Alamos, populated mainly by scientists, and their school system is excellent. The rest of the state, not so much.

A huge part of the problem here is that so many students are "English language learners". Their parents don't speak English, can't begin to help them with their homework. And if they've come from some rural place in Mexico, for instance, they may not have the sense that education is important. I have no idea how this can be dealt with.