By ETHAN HARTLEY -- Rhode Island is not the best, or worst, in education in comparison to the rest of the country. Unfortunately, it was also ranked lower than any other state in New England.
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Rhode Island is not the best, or worst, in education in comparison to the rest of the country – rather we are squarely in the middle of the pack, according to a 2018 report on the Most and Least Educated States in America released by research and financial analysis company Wallethub.
Unfortunately for Little Rhody, the average ranking of 23 out of 50 states is the lowest rank attained by a state in New England, which is often touted for its academic prowess. Massachusetts scored as the top state across the board, Connecticut ranked 3rd, Vermont 4th, New Hampshire scored 7th and Maine scored higher than Rhode Island as well at 22nd.
Factoring into the overall rankings were 15 total metrics grouped into two categories – educational attainment and quality of education. Metrics included data including number of adults aged 25 or older with at least a high school diploma, average quality of state universities and the number of males versus female who have reached a high level of educational attainment.
Fortunately for Rhode Island, the state’s universities were its saving grace in the study. It ranked 4th overall in quality of universities (though, once again, Massachusetts topped out in that category as well).
Not so nice, Rhode Island ranked dead last in the educational gender gap ranking – meaning there is a higher disproportion of men with bachelor’s degrees than women than any other state in the country.
Data used to create rankings in the study were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Education Statistics, The Chronicle of Higher Education, U.S. News & World Report, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, U.S. Department of Education, The College Board and WalletHub research.
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Justanidiot
dat story is ful of lyes! mi teachurs hear learnt me all eye know.
#fakenewz
Thursday, January 25, 2018 Report this
JohnStark
And yet, RI's teachers are the sixth highest paid in the country, and per pupil spending is third highest in New England. Remember that the next time someone uses the worn out phrase "...investment in our future". Investments entail choice. Unless and until realistic Choice is inserted into the archaic system of government-run education, education 'investors' are shorting public schools.
Friday, January 26, 2018 Report this
Kammy
I think one of the reasons why we rank so low is the past reliance on standardized testing. My kids are no longer in Warwick Schools so I don't know how they are taught now but between 2007 - 2013, my kids spent most their time preparing for standardized tests. Many times teachers ran out of time to cover subjects and they were still required to answer questions without any prep or studying. Frustration was on both sides and it seems like the entire foundation of education and learning was narrowly focused on passing these tests. If i remember correctly, grants or money was tied to overall placement.
I have many issues with the WTU but I do realize that the vast majority of teachers are hard working men and women. I think there is enough blame to go around as to why we are in the middle of the road. I hope that with the contact dispute over and the retro pay being released, we will see our teachers doing what they do best and seeing our scores rise so that we are more competitive with our neighbors. Here is to a better 2018 for the children of Warwick!
Monday, January 29, 2018 Report this