Which US state is purported to have the best public education?

Answer 1

According to the Washington Post, January 8, 2009, two independent studies determined Maryland has the best public schools in the U.S.

Editorial Projects in Education, which publishes the trade newspaper Education Week, conducted a three-year study of public school performance following the 2002 federal Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act. The study evaluated school systems on a number of criteria, including accountability standards, college readiness of high school graduates, spending and equity. The composite results placed Maryland at the top of the rank.

A second report by MGT of America found that "proficiency levels statewide [in Maryland] have improved dramatically for all students," particularly in elementary schools. The state cut the gap separating proficient from below-proficient students by 50% between 2004 and 2008, an impressive achievement.

MGT of America attributed much of the improvement to hiring new, better qualified teachers, improving student-teacher ratios by creating 8,300 new teaching positions, and increasing school and classroom accountability for achievement.

These studies aren't the only indicators of public education performance, however. An analysis of standardized test scores indicate higher achievement in specific areas by students from other states. For example, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas have a higher percentage of 4th grade students performing "above advanced" in math (Maryland is fifth). Assessment scores for 8th grade writing place Connecticut first and Maryland sixth.

Although no single state performs best in all measures, overall, it appears Maryland's public education system is excellent.

Answer 2

This is a subjective question, and the objective elements one could use to answer it change constantly, especially in this financially volitile world. School funding, curiculum requirements, state standards and benchmarks, enrollment, and the economy itself are all major factors. There is a multitude of minor factors that can determine the bast answer.

Generally speaking, the states of Michigan and New York have the best public school systems. They have alternated in the past for the top spot. However, with the state of the economy and the huge loss of jobs in Michigan, not to mention the inept management of education by the state's governor, Jennifer Granholm, the condition of Michigan public schools is declining fast. This can only be expected in a state that continually throws more money at stockpiling prisoners than for educating the young and perhaps reducing the need for prisons all together.

The latest rankings list Vermont as having the best school system in the nation.

Answer 3

There are many arguably better systems but first, the goal of school systems must be defined.

The best school system must be tailored to meet the goals of the system and the individual.?

Public Schools are made to fit most students and must accept any student. These schools have a very large pool of attendees. These schools focus on the education of students based on federal and state guidelines often with strict regulation. This is the most prominent system of schooling.?

Private and Charter schools, have more options than the regulated public schools but do not necessarily have a religious focus. Many different types exist and are often tailored toward difference attendees. They are also paid for by the attendees so are often limited to wealthier students.

The Montessori schools have a theory that children have a natural guidance that makes them want to learn. Under this system, the school acts as a facilitator to the natural inclination of children to learn. These schools provide different activities and problems and the children need to figure out how to do them while the "teachers" act as facilitators simply supervising the learning.

Religious schools often operate under traditional discipline based form that includes religion and religious studies with a strong focus on the affiliated sect of religion. These schools are often smaller, more exclusive, and less lenient than other systems. The children are taught in a way that does not contradict the affiliated sect and often have more rules. Discipline is highly valued while education often takes a step back from religion and prestige. Discrimination based on the views of the religion are often enforced in the system.

Homeschooling gives students an environment much different than at structured schools as the teacher is often a parent or a tutor. Under this condition, the teacher often times not qualified as an educator and does not have expertise in all the fields being taught. The settings are often at home and the children have a limited amount of interaction relative to other school children. Parents often choose this as a method to step away from the regulations and requirements of other systems giving their children an education tailored toward extreme views of the parent.

Answer 4

Vermont ranks #1

See a complete list here

http://www.morganquitno.com/edrank.htm

Answer 5

Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, California, Florida, etc.

Answer 6

The best school in the country is Waverly in the Linden district.

Answer 7

Finland most reccently

Answer 8

Mass