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A new study shows that Alabama ranks near the bottom of the barrel when it comes to education.
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Introduction
In 2015, Alabama ranked 47th in the nation for education, according to Education Week’s Quality Counts report. The state scored a D+ overall, with a C- in Chance-for-Success and D’s in K-12 Achievement and School Finance.
The state has seen some improvement since the last Quality Counts report in 2013, when it ranked 49th. In 2015, the state’s Chance-for-Success ranking improved by one point, while its K-12 Achievement and School Finance rankings remained unchanged.
The State of Education in Alabama
Funding
The state of Alabama ranks near the bottom when it comes to funding for education. In fact, Alabama ranks 47th in the nation in terms of per-pupil spending. This lack of funding has a direct impact on the quality of education that students in Alabama receive.
For example, Alabama ranks 43rd in the nation in terms of high school graduation rates. In addition, the state ranks near the bottom in terms of test scores. These test scores are used to determine whether students are prepared for college and/or careers.
The lack of funding for education has also resulted in a shortage of teachers in Alabama. In fact, Alabama ranks 50th in the nation in terms of teacher salaries. This shortage of teachers often results in larger class sizes, which can further impact the quality of education that students receive.
It is clear that the state of Alabama needs to do more to fund education if it wants to improve the quality of education that its students receive.
Test Scores
One area where Alabama consistently ranks near the bottom is in terms of standardized test scores. In 2017, the state ranked 49th in the nation in terms of 4th grade reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The NAEP is considered to be the gold standard when it comes to measuring student achievement. It’s worth noting that Alabama’s 2017 4th grade reading scores were actually an improvement from 2015, when the state ranked 50th.
When it comes to 8th grade math scores, Alabama ranks 45th in the nation. again, this is an improvement from 2015, when the state ranked 48th. While it’s encouraging that Alabama’s test scores have gone up in recent years, it’s clear that there’s still a long way to go before the state can catch up to the rest of the country.
Dropout Rates
Alabama’s high school dropout rate is one of the highest in the nation. In 2016, the state had a dropout rate of 6.4%, which was above the national average of 5.3%. Alabama’s dropout rate has been consistently higher than the national average for the past decade. The state has made some progress in recent years, however. Between 2010 and 2016, Alabama’s dropout rate dropped from 7.4% to 6.4%.
One reason for Alabama’s high dropout rate is the fact that many students who enter high school are already behind academically. According to the most recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), nearly two-thirds of Alabama fourth graders (64%) are not proficient in reading and nearly three-fourths of them (74%) are not proficient in math. These rates are both higher than the national averages.
There are some bright spots in Alabama’s education system, however. The state’s graduation rate has been increasing in recent years and is now above the national average. In 2016, 82% of Alabama students graduated from high school within four years, compared to 79% nationally.
Alabama’s Ranking
Alabama is currently ranked 50th in the nation for education. This is a startling statistic considering that just a few years ago, the state was ranked in the top 20. What has caused this decline in such a short period of time? Some say it’s the result of years of underfunding education. Others believe it’s because the state standards are not high enough. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that something needs to be done to improve Alabama’s education system.
National Rankings
In terms of educational attainment, Alabama ranks 36th in the nation. The states with the highest percentages of residents over 25 with a high school diploma are Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The states with the lowest percentages are Nevada, California, and Mississippi. In terms of college education, Alabama ranks 32nd in the nation. The states with the highest percentages of residents over 25 with a bachelor’s degree or higher are Massachusetts, Colorado, and Maryland. The states with the lowest percentages are Louisiana, Arkansas, and West Virginia.
Southern Rankings
The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that assists its member states in improving public elementary and secondary education.
In 2017, SREB released its annual report, “Is Your State Making Progress?,” which ranks states on how well they are preparing students for postsecondary education and the workforce.
Alabama’s Ranking:
38th in the nation for the percentage of adults with a high school diploma or equivalent credential
39th in the nation for the percentage of high school students who score at or above proficiency levels on National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading and math tests
24th in the nation for the percentage of public high school students who take and pass Advanced Placement (AP) exams
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on the data and research collected, it is evident that Alabama does not currently rank highly in terms of providing its residents with a well-rounded education. The state falls significantly behind in funding per student and teacher salaries, as well as in standardized test scores. However, there are initiatives being put into place which may improve these numbers in the future.
