The U.S. Department of Education released in October 2019 results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and found while the performance of math and reading in grades four and eight improved from 1990 to 2013, scores in fourth grade reading, eight grade reading and eight grade math fell significantly from 2017 to 2019.
Despite the lackluster results at a national level, students in certain states flourished.
In general, northern-based states (New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut) showed superior academic performance while those in the south (Alabama, New Mexico, Louisana, Arkansas) stood out with below-average test scores.
To find the states with the best public education, Fabric researchers created a score based on NAEP math and reading results four fourth and eight grade public school students. The scores also factored in graduation rates and student-to-teacher ratio.
New Jersey has the best public schools in the U.S., the analysis found. Here’s some data:
- Composite score: 98.9;
- Grade 4 Math: 6 points above average;
- Grade 4 Reading: 8 points above average;
- Grade 8 Math: 11 points above average;
- Grade 8 Reading: 8 points above average;
- Graduaton rate: 91%;
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 12.2.
Here are statistics for the entire United States:
- Composite score: NA;
- Grade 4 Math: 240;
- Grade 4 Reading: 219;
- Grade 8 Math: 281;
- Grade 8 Reading: 262;
- Graduaton rate: 85%;
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 16.0.
For more information, methodology and complete results, click here.
