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I live in the 3rd dumbest state in America

September 12, 2011 by Sonia Marsh

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Have you thought about how “dumb” your state (country) is? A few days ago, my husband sent me this link, confirming that we live in the 3rd dumbest state in the U.S., and I took it like a personal insult. How can that be?

3rd Dumbest State: California

“California has one of the worst dropout rates in the country, with nearly 20 percent of the population failing to graduate from high school. In recent years, the state’s approach to fixing this was to artificially inflate the numbers. Besides this, graduating seniors in California scored an average of 1511 on the SATs, placing it in the bottom third of the nation. It was probably a bad sign when, in 2008, it was considered a great accomplishment that the state would work towards getting eighth graders to learn algebra, a common requirement in other states. One of the main bright spots for California was its “gold standard” for higher education, where students would have access to the excellent state colleges at a lower tuition rate. But this too has suffered in recent months”

 So we may be dumb, but at least we have this in southern California:

 San Clemente Beach September 2011

   And we have this beauty in the north:

 Golden Gate Bridge September 11th, 2011 

 So where are the smartest people in the U.S.? According to the same article, Vermont is the place to be, especially if you’re raising a family. 

The Smartest State: Vermont

“Vermont was declared the smartest state by Morgan Quitno thanks to several factors. “A high percentage of the state’s students are proficient in reading and math. In addition, class sizes are small and the number of teachers per student is among the lowest in the nation,” the firm said in a press release. The average SAT scores in this state are not overwhelmingly great (just 1542), but Vermont makes up for it with strong classrooms that foster good students who are dedicated to continuing their education beyond high school. The National Center for Education reports that 91 percent of people in Vermont have a high school diploma or higher, and nearly a third have completed a bachelor’s degree.”

Just to prove I’m not dumb, here’s a photo my husband took of me last night while waiting for the boat tour of the San Franciso bay.

 

So I don’t think California can possibly be the 3rd dumbest state. Do you?

On a more serious note, feel free to add your thoughts on education.

Filed Under: People Tagged With: California, Education, SAT test scores, Vermont

Comments

  1. Rob-bear says

    September 12, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    With your family living there, I cannot being that dumb.

    I’m always suspicious of standardized tests and averages, and stuff like that. The question might be phrased: How many people wish they had more education?

    I think child-teacher ratios are important. Especially if the teachers like kids and love teaching.
    Rob-bear recently posted..AMERICA AT 9/11/11My Profile

    • Gutsy Writer says

      September 13, 2011 at 6:46 am

      Rob-bear,

      It is a complex issue that involves more than one simple answer. Pennie below gave some of the answers. I’m sure you know the others. Thanks for commenting, and don’t worry about typos; we all make them.

  2. Rob-bear says

    September 12, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    Bears shouldn’t use computers.

    “With your family living there, California cannot being that dumb.”

    A bit of a pre-hibernation blip.
    Rob-bear recently posted..AMERICA AT 9/11/11My Profile

    • Gutsy Writer says

      September 13, 2011 at 6:46 am

      pre-hibernation already?

  3. Barbara says

    September 12, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    You couldn’t pay me to live in Vermont! I honestly have no desire to live in CA either. As for dumbest state… if it is based on the current governor I’m sure Pennsylvania would be #1!

    Fun post!
    thanks
    b

    • Gutsy Writer says

      September 13, 2011 at 6:47 am

      I’m sure that could be a post in itself, but I’m not familiar with the Governor of Pennsylvania.

  4. Nancy Wolter says

    September 12, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    California is greatly enhanced by you and your family, Sonia.
    There’s a lot to be said about CA with its beautiful scenery, weather.
    I’m pretty sick of all the ‘redneck’ swamp shows on TV, btw. Florida
    has its own brand of dumbness in that category, as well as tattoo stupidity.
    Dumb comes in many forms, lol! Some nut in our area near the
    Ritz Carlton Golf Resort lost his 12′ python.
    Maybe if I run into it, I’ll grill it–make a Nancy Python
    cooking show!

    • Gutsy Writer says

      September 13, 2011 at 6:49 am

      Funny to hear about the python. I wonder what classrooms are like in Naples, FL. I have one son who is applying for college in FL.

  5. Nancy Wolter says

    September 12, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    Remind me Not to post from my cell–
    Sentences are every which way!

  6. Penelope J. says

    September 12, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Don’t say! I can’t believe it! California, with its bounty of natural wealth, tourism, millionaires, dot.com companies, and Hollywood, home state of body, sun, celebrity and the outdoors’ worshippers, home to probably more tourist attractions, great beaches and good rehabs than anywhere else, is the third dumbest state in the country? What a surprise when this state, the eighth largest economy in the world, can’t even balance its check book. What a surprise when drugs are easily available for kids and many go to school stoned. What a surprise when the only reason to learn to read and write seems to be to text message in Dumbineze (or whatever it’s called) and occasionally sign school papers. What a surprise when education caters to the better off and kids living in poorer areas attend overcrowded, understaffed, crumbling schools. What a surprise when teachers get laid off or leave because the state can’t afford to pay them a decent wage.

    So what if Vermont is way ahead education wise. How important is that tiny state compared to California?

    The authorities assure us they are trying very hard to straighten out this problem even while looking for new ways to cut the education budget. As long as California can still dance to its own tune, except in a few areas, little or nothing is being done to change this status quo. Why not start looking at hubris as a reason for this ranking?
    Penelope J. recently posted..Why Tell Me “It Is as It Is?”My Profile

    • Gutsy Writer says

      September 15, 2011 at 4:50 am

      Pennie,

      I can tell you have a ton to say about California and it does seem strange that we are still viewed by the entire world as living in “heaven.” Or perhaps that’s just a myth. It must be the weather. People always talk about, “You can’t be the weather, as a reason for living here.”

  7. Robert the Skeptic says

    September 12, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    I checked this out finding this information on the US Census site. In 2009 the “Percent of People 25 Years and Over Who Have Completed High School (Includes Equivalency)” shows California ranked 49th. Mississippi and Texas were 50 and 51, Washington DC was 28th.

    If you really want to get depressed compare the Literacy rate of USA with other industrialized countries. The UK and USA are ranked 20. The former Soviet country of Georgia is #1, Cuba #2. In fact the top literacy is taken up by most of the former Soviet countries.

    Of the top 34 industrialized countries that accept Evolution, the USA is #33, only Turkey is behind us. The percentage of US citizens who accept Evolution as science is around 40%.

    Makes you wonder how much longer we can ride the momentum of our reputation as a world leader?
    Robert the Skeptic recently posted..Fading from Gray to BlackMy Profile

    • Gutsy Writer says

      September 15, 2011 at 4:52 am

      You bring up some scary statistics, especially about Georgia and Cuba. One thing though is Cuba exports its doctors to other countries like Belize. You mentioned (51 states) ???

      • Robert the Skeptic says

        September 22, 2011 at 12:59 pm

        Washington DC was included in the statistics, though it is not a state (though they want to be).
        Robert the Skeptic recently posted..The Endless SummerMy Profile

  8. Lady Fi says

    September 13, 2011 at 4:31 am

    There’s probably some correlation between having small classes where teachers really see and can help the students and good grades. Teacher involvement along with parent commitment is vital.
    Lady Fi recently posted..The miracleMy Profile

    • Gutsy Writer says

      September 15, 2011 at 4:54 am

      Yes, small classes seem to exist in small countries and small states. I remember writing about the education in Finland being the best in the world due to small classrooms and parent involvement.

  9. Bob Lowry says

    September 14, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    Don’t complain, I live in Arizona. We are the second dumbest state according to the survey. Frankly I’m surprised we aren’t #1. If based on our politics and leaders we’d win in a landslide.
    Bob Lowry recently posted..Our Satisfying Retirement – Thank you Money Magazine!My Profile

    • Gutsy Writer says

      September 15, 2011 at 4:55 am

      Aren’t you glad you live in the 2nd dumbest state in the US? Couldn’t resist that one Bob.

  10. Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot says

    September 14, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    I guess that’s why the big hit movie Dumb and Dumberer was made there;) Don’t take it personally:) It’s just an average isn’t it?! But still a bit scary. Could it be the gorgeous beaches luring people away from school? x A
    Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot recently posted..What’s the Worst Thing that Could Happen?My Profile

    • Gutsy Writer says

      September 15, 2011 at 4:57 am

      I wish Annabel. I thing CA as well as AZ has a huge influx of immigrants, and since we offer a free education to all, classrooms in certain parts of LA, are so overcrowded, and there is a lack of parental involvement in helping kids succeed. There are obviously many other reasons, political, etc.

  11. sophia says

    September 15, 2011 at 3:25 am

    I think it is the global recession that drives people away from school…

    I wish everybody who is traveling or will be traveling soon moving outside a country – the very best! Be sure you are covered with an Overseas Medical Insurance.

  12. Gutsy Writer says

    September 15, 2011 at 5:00 am

    Sophia,

    That’s an interesting way of looking at it. I think more people are trying to learn new skills to fit the job market. At least that’s what I’ve noticed here.

  13. Adeline | Life and Leisure.com says

    September 16, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Personally, I found categorizing a state dumb based on the high school dropout rate to be a bit presumptuous. While it’s true that there are some students that drop out simply because they don’t make the mark or because they’ve made some bad choices, there are a lot of other factors that can contribute to students dropping out of school. The price of education is one of them. I’ve come across a lot of really bright kids who have been forced to drop out because their families simply couldn’t afford the tuition fees many schools require.
    Adeline | Life and Leisure.com recently posted..Discover Cuisine: An Exclusive Food Blogger’s Event Part 1 of 2My Profile

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