posted
In all seriousness, look at their criteria for establishing "smartest state." It's interesting.
quote: The Smartest State Award is based on 21 factors that compare the 50 states in more than 400 elementary and secondary education categories. Factors considered include per pupil expenditures, public high school graduation rates, average class size, student reading, writing and math proficiency, and pupil-teacher ratios and teacher salaries as a percent of average annual pay.
quote:"The award recognizes those states with a strong commitment to its students and teachers, an emphasis on excellence in the classroom and support of safe, efficiently run public schools."
posted
What does class size have to do with a state's overall intelligence? Or teacher's saleries? I understand how they can possibly be indirectly connected, but it seems pretty retarded to equate money with intelligence.
Posts: 859 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Consider: National Merit Semi-finalists in Indiana had to score a 210 or above on the PSAT. National Merit Semi-finalists in MA had to score somewhere around a 225. I'm so glad I don't live in MA!
Posts: 4655 | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I cringe to think how North Carolina did. I love my state but intelligence is not it's strong suit.
Posts: 650 | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Robespierre, I think they're using the word intelligence somewhat facetiously, and what they mean is states that have some nebulous combination of committment to and success in education.
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