“Uncovering the Shocking Truth: Which 15 States Are Failing Their Students?”
The state is now focused on improving teacher retention through better pay and incentives. Oklahoma knows it needs to keep its best educators around if it wants to improve outcomes.
7. West Virginia
West Virginia’s education challenges reflect broader socioeconomic issues, like high poverty rates and the opioid crisis. These factors strain students and their families, impacting overall school performance.
The state is expanding technical education programs, hoping to give students more job options and keep them engaged. While this approach is promising, there’s still work to be done.
8. South Carolina
South Carolina struggles with high dropout rates and a lack of funding for public schools. Student-to-teacher ratios are high, making it harder for students to get the individualized attention they need.
In response, South Carolina is focusing on career-readiness programs and STEM education, aiming to equip students with skills for the modern workforce.
9. Arizona
Arizona’s low ranking is tied to a serious lack of funding, the state spends among the least per student in the country. This affects everything from teacher salaries to classroom resources.
Despite these limitations, Arizona has expanded its charter school system, offering families more educational choices. This model has seen some success, but public schools still face funding challenges.
10. Kentucky
Kentucky ranks low partly due to low test scores and graduation rates, especially in its rural areas. Economic hardships in these areas further strain schools’ resources.
