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US Schools Graded: Which States Lead and Lag?
21 Jul
Summary
- Study ranked public school systems across all 50 states and D.C.
- Quality and safety metrics determined overall school system scores.
- Graduation rates, test scores, and bullying were among key factors.

A recent study by WalletHub has comprehensively evaluated public school systems across the United States, aiming to identify the states with the best and worst educational environments. The analysis encompassed all 50 states and the District of Columbia, employing 32 distinct metrics.
These metrics were divided into two primary categories: quality, which comprised 80% of the total score, and safety, accounting for the remaining 20%. Key indicators for quality included graduation rates, standardized test performance, and pupil-teacher ratios, reflecting academic outcomes.
For the safety aspect, the study examined crucial data points such as rates of drug use, bullying incidents, school shootings, and overall disciplinary actions. Data was sourced from reputable organizations including the US Census Bureau and the Department of Education.