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Education by the Numbers

New report leads to interesting findings on the current state of academic achievement and preparation in American schools.

The Center for American Progress this week released a Joint Platform for Education Reform with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the release of state-by-state report cards and an interactive map on educational effectiveness. Here are some of the report’s findings:

0: Number of states receiving above average grades in all categories.

24: Number of states receiving a failing grade in at least one of the nine categories assessed.

9: Number of states receiving failing grades in three or more categories.

0: Number of states with a majority of 4th and 8th graders proficient in math and reading.

83: Percent of Alabama’s 4th graders that the state claims are proficient in reading.

22: Percent of Alabama’s 4th graders that the National Assessment of Educational Process calculates are proficient in reading.

35: Percent of American high school students who read at a proficient level.

8: Number of states that align high school graduation requirements with college and workplace expectations.

66: Percent of 9th graders that graduate from high school in four years.

$8,546: The average amount that states spend on education per student each year

We must take action now to reshape our educational system so that every child can achieve the American dream. The Center for American Progress and U.S. Chamber of Commerce have therefore outlined a series of key proposals to target critical unmet needs through better teaching, innovation, data, and management.

Read more about the proposals:

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. A full list of supporters is available here. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.