48th Place – Louisiana
It is a combination of factors that has caused Louisiana to be so low on the rankings. They have the most abysmal math scores of all states, the fourth-worst reading scores, and the fifth-highest rate of students leaving high school prematurely.
In Louisiana, it’s not just the academic performance of students that has caused concern. The state also ranked worst overall for school safety, taking into account rates of violence and bullying, as well as the number of children who refuse to go to school out of fear. Poor safety is an issue that affects more than just the academic success of students in Louisiana.