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U.S. States Lagging in Education: Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico Top List

Mississippi and Louisiana trail in education quality. New Mexico has the highest dropout rate. These states need targeted policies to improve attainment and boost economic prospects.

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This is a paper. On this something is written.

U.S. States Lagging in Education: Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico Top List

Several states in the U.S. struggle with educational attainment and quality. Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Mexico consistently rank low in high school diploma holders and college graduation rates. West Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, and Arkansas also face significant challenges in education.

Mississippi is second-last in educational attainment, with the third-lowest high school diploma rate and second-lowest bachelor's degree rate. It also has historically low National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores. Louisiana has very low higher-education attainment, ranking fourth-lowest in bachelor's degree holders, with persistent achievement gaps and poor education quality. New Mexico ranks lowest in education quality, has one of the highest high-school dropout rates, and has historically underfunded its education system.

Nevada's education funding and outcomes lag behind most states, with one of the lowest high-school attainment rates and college attainment well below the U.S. average. West Virginia ranks last in educational attainment, with the lowest share of adults with a bachelor's degree and a high school completion rate slightly below the U.S. average. Kentucky remains 44th to 45th in higher-education attainment, with only about 28 percent of adults having a bachelor's or higher degree. Alabama continues to rank low, with only about 22 percent of adults having a bachelor's degree or higher and a slightly below-average high school graduation rate. Arkansas ranks 47th in educational attainment, with one of the very lowest education levels in the country.

These states face significant challenges in improving educational attainment and quality. Addressing these issues requires targeted policies and investments in education. Higher education levels can lead to better job opportunities and increased economic prosperity, making it a crucial factor in improving overall quality of life.

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