10 most and least educated states

[zelmo1234]

Northern Virginia still declares itself the real Virginians and the rest of us the taker Virginians so at least we rednecks still have that to look forward to

I think that I would rather be a taker than live in that mess. LOL

[gamewell45]

10 most and least educated states

This is and interesting list. The piece is nonpolitical, they aren't dividing the states from blue to red, but if you look at it that way it's obvious which party believes in education.

Most:

Massachusetts
Maryland
Connecticut
Vermont
Colorado
Virginia
New Hampshire
Minnesota
Washington
New Jersey

Least:

New Mexico
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Nevada
Kentucky
Alabama
Arkansas
Louisiana
West Virginia
Mississippi

While it isn't a perfect division it is an obvious one. Democratic states are better educated. That's probably why they are more Democratic.

That's an interesting observation; my son and daughter-in-law, once they start having children, plan on moving from SC back to NY or Vermont specifically for better education for their children. They say the schools where they live are horrid and want their kids to get the best public school education they can. I know NY isn't on the list but they remember their childhood days in NY School districts and feel comfortable enough returning north for that alone.

[Kacper]

I think that I would rather be a taker than live in that mess. LOL

I used to. It has its virtues and vices. I don't miss the day to day stuff at all, but every now and then it was pretty awesome to attend an event with someone you really are interested in, particularly at the Smithsonian, or pop into a university when someone noteworthy was speaking.

[bajisima]

10 most and least educated states

This is and interesting list. The piece is nonpolitical, they aren't dividing the states from blue to red, but if you look at it that way it's obvious which party believes in education.

Most:

Massachusetts
Maryland
Connecticut
Vermont
Colorado
Virginia
New Hampshire
Minnesota
Washington
New Jersey

Least:

New Mexico
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Nevada
Kentucky
Alabama
Arkansas
Louisiana
West Virginia
Mississippi

While it isn't a perfect division it is an obvious one. Democratic states are better educated. That's probably why they are more Democratic.

What makes a state democratic? Massachusetts has a GOP governor as does half of the best educated states. Education has very little to do with how a state votes federally, education is a local thing. NH is solid red at the local level with both governor and legislature. Saying a state is red or blue based solely on presidential elections is dumb.

[bajisima]

That's an interesting observation; my son and daughter-in-law, once they start having children, plan on moving from SC back to NY or Vermont specifically for better education for their children. They say the schools where they live are horrid and want their kids to get the best public school education they can. I know NY isn't on the list but they remember their childhood days in NY School districts and feel comfortable enough returning north for that alone.

NY was considered a great place for education because of its Regents system. It came under fire a decade or so ago because it used "tracking" to determine a students ability. If one were smart they were put in the Regents system where they took specialized tests for college. If they were not they were either sent to straight classes or BOCES, which was like trade classes. Many felt it unfairly determined a childs fate. But it did produce resutlts. Now too many high schools treat everyone as if they must go to college and that isnt always true.

[gamewell45]

NY was considered a great place for education because of its Regents system. It came under fire a decade or so ago because it used "tracking" to determine a students ability. If one were smart they were put in the Regents system where they took specialized tests for college. If they were not they were either sent to straight classes or BOCES, which was like trade classes. Many felt it unfairly determined a childs fate. But it did produce resutlts. Now too many high schools treat everyone as if they must go to college and that isnt always true.

Very true; one of my kids graduated with a Regents diploma and went straight off to college; the other one graduated with a General Diploma and went straight off to the Marines.

[Mister D]

Demographics plays an obvious role as one glance at the bottom 5 would suggest.

[bajisima]

Very true; one of my kids graduated with a Regents diploma and went straight off to college; the other one graduated with a General Diploma and went straight off to the Marines.

At one time getting a Regents diploma was a huge deal. It made getting into college a lot easier. It also allowed those who either were gifted in other areas to not fall behind or get frustrated. They were allowed to enter a vocational trade where often times that led them into various apprenticeships with local tradesmen. It also gave them a leg up so to speak into getting a great career.

[bajisima]

Demographics plays an obvious role as one glance at the bottom 5 would suggest.

Money plays a bigger role. Check out the salaries and costs of living differences. Its a vicious cycle.

[Mister D]

Money plays a bigger role. Check out the salaries and costs of living differences. Its a vicious cycle.

New York failed to make the top 10 yet spends the most per pupil. Colorado ranks high but spends significantly less than average. There's a lot more going on here...