Education is an important aspect of modern society. It is through quality education that individuals are able to acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to contribute meaningfully to society. It is, therefore, disheartening to note that not all states have good graduation rates. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, some states have dismal graduation rates compared to others. In this article, we will explore what states have the worst graduation rates.
New Mexico
New Mexico has consistently been ranked at the bottom of the list of states with the worst graduation rates. It is reported that only around 74% of high school students in New Mexico are able to graduate. There are many factors that contribute to the state’s low graduation rates. Some of the main factors include a high poverty rate, a low median household income, and a high percentage of English language learners. Another contributing factor is the state’s high dropout rate.
Nevada
Nevada is also one of the states with the worst graduation rates. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the Silver State only has a 76% graduation rate. The state is also known for having a high percentage of English language learners and a high percentage of low-income families, which can affect student success. Additionally, Nevada has been struggling to attract and retain quality teachers, which can also negatively impact graduation rates.
Louisiana
Louisiana is another state with a low graduation rate. Only about 77% of high school students in Louisiana graduate. One of the factors that contribute to this is the state’s high poverty rate, which affects many students’ ability to learn and succeed in school. Additionally, Louisiana has been struggling to address its teacher shortage, which could be another reason for the low graduation rate.
Oregon
Oregon has a graduation rate of around 78%. The state has been ranked as one of the states with the worst graduation rates for several years. One of the key factors that contribute to this is the state’s high absenteeism rate. The state has also been struggling to address its student performance issues in math and science, which could be another reason for the low graduation rate.
Arizona
Arizona is also one of the states with the worst graduation rates. The state has a graduation rate of around 79%, which is below the national average. One of the factors that contribute to this is the state’s high poverty rate, which affects many students’ ability to learn and succeed in school. Arizona also has a high percentage of English language learners and a high dropout rate, which could be contributing to the state’s low graduation rate.
In conclusion, it is evident that there are several states with the worst graduation rates. We have explored some of the factors that contribute to low graduation rates in these states. While some of the issues are beyond the control of schools, there are actions that educators can take to address some of these issues to help improve graduation rates. These include addressing student absenteeism, providing adequate resources to schools, and attracting and retaining quality teachers. By working together, we can help ensure that all students have access to quality education and the opportunity to graduate high school.
