Top 10 USA States With The Best Schools, 2015

The U.S. still has to go a long way; however, according to this year’s edition of Quality Counts by Education Week, the U.S. is improving significantly. It has attained a C, up from a C- last year, for its school system. Another important thing is there is no state scored a failing grade this year.

The study was conducted based on 3 components.

1. Chance for Success: This index includes data on family earnings, parent’s education and employment, kid schooling, and job opportunities after college.
2. K-12 Achievement: It is done using the test score data (2013) from the National Assessment of Educational Progress.  
3. School Finances: This category includes metrics on cost spent per-pupil and how fairly spending was done across the districts in the state (2012).

Massachusetts

Overall grade: B

State score: 86.2                                                                                                                                              

Per-pupil spending: $13,157                                                                                                                                   

High school graduation rate: 86.0%                                                                                                                     

Eighth-graders proficient in math or reading: 54.6% (the highest)

New Jersey 

Overall grade: B
State score: 85.5
Per-pupil spending: $15,421
High school graduation rate: 87.0%
Eighth-graders proficient in math or reading: 48.9% (2nd highest)

Maryland 

Overall grade: B
State score: 85.2
Per-pupil spending: $12,435
High school graduation rate: 84.0%

Vermont 

Overall grade: B
State score: 83.0
Per-pupil spending: $18,882 (the highest)
High school graduation rate: 93.0% (the highest)
Eighth-graders proficient in math or reading: 46.9%

New Hampshire 

Overall grade: B-
State score: 82.3
Per-pupil spending: $14,561
High school graduation rate: 87.0%
Eighth-graders proficient in math or reading: 46.8%

Connecticut 

Overall grade: B-
State score: 82.3
Per-pupil spending: $15,172
High school graduation rate: 86.0%
Eighth-graders proficient in math or reading: 37.1%

Wyoming  

Overall grade: B-
State score: 80.6
Per-pupil spending: $17,758 (3rd highest)
High school graduation rate: 80.0%
Eighth-graders proficient in math or reading: 37.8%

Pennsylvania 

Overall grade: B-
State score: 80.1
Per-pupil spending: $13,653
High school graduation rate: 88.0%
Eighth-graders proficient in math or reading: 41.9%

New York 
Overall grade: B-
State score: 80.0
Per-pupil spending: $17,326
High school graduation rate: 78.0%
Eighth-graders proficient in math or reading: 32.3%

Minnesota
Overall grade: B-
State score: 79.9
Per-pupil spending: $11,547
High school graduation rate: 88.0%
Eighth-graders proficient in math or reading: 47.2% (3rd highest)