Today, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released its 17thReport Card on American Education: Ranking State K-12 Performance, Progress, and Reform. The comprehensive report grades all 50 states and theDistrict of Columbiaaccording to data from national test scores, state education policy, charter school regulation, and other benchmarks of quality. Additionally, the report discusses what resources are being wasted, what students are being left behind, and what administrators, parents, and teachers can do make a difference in education. This year,Massachusettsbeat out all other states whileWest Virginiaplaced last.
Authors Dr.Matthew Ladner,Dan LipsandDavid J. Myslinskirank states based on two factors. The first is student performance and their progress on National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exams.
Student Performance (NAEP Scores)
Top Five
Bottom Five
1. Massachusetts
47. Missouri
2. Vermont
48. Mississippi
3. New Jersey
49. Louisiana
4. Colorado
50. South Carolina
5. Pennsylvania
51. West Virginia
The second metric ranks states from A to F based on education reform policies including academic standards, school choice programs, charter schools, online learning, and that state's ability to hire good teachers and fire bad ones. In this category,Missouriis the clear leader.
Education Reform Policy Grades
Highest Scoring Reform States
Lowest Scoring Reform States
"A-" Missouri
"D+" Alabama
"B" Colorado
"D+" Nebraska
"B" Indiana
"D+" North Dakota
"B" Ohio
"D+" Vermont
"B" District of Columbia
"D+" West Virginia
"B" Georgia
"B" California
"B" New Mexico
"B" Arizona
"B" Utah
"B" Oklahoma
"ALEC's Report Card on American Education is one of the premier publications on state education policy," said ALEC National ChairmanDave Frizzell(R-IN). "Everyone interested in improving K-12 education in America should study this resource carefully. I'm proud to reportIndianamade significant strides this past year, but, like every other state, we have far to go to become competitive globally. Looking at the innovative solutions the Report Card has detailed, we aim to make education in America the envy of the world."
ALEC's report card uses empirical data to establish the case for more school choice, empowering parents to have a greater impact on their children's education, and holding teachers accountable. To view theReport Card on American Educationand a full list of ALEC's reports, visitwww.alec.org/reportcardorwww.alec.org.
ALEC is a non-profit, nonpartisan association of over 2,000 state legislators that works to promote principles of free markets, limited government and federalism throughout the states.
SOURCE American Legislative Exchange Council WASHINGTON,Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --