CHARLOTTE, N.C. — South Carolina ranks sixth on the list of states with the best early education systems, according to a report published by WalletHub. The state also has one of the highest shares of school districts that offer a state pre-K program in the nation.
South Carolina follows behind the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Maryland, Nebraska, and the top-ranked state, Arkansas. The 50 states and the District of Columbia were compared based on total scores calculated using three key dimensions: access, quality, and resources and economic support.
Each of those dimensions was then individually graded on a 100-point scale. Scores that total closer to 100 represent a higher quality of early education.
South Carolina had a total score of 65.40. North Carolina ranked 39th with a score of 42.99. Arkansas took the top spot with a 76.10.
The report contained results from other studies, such as ranking states based on the income needed to be eligible for state pre-K services. North Carolina tied for the highest in this study, alongside Michigan, Maryland, and Connecticut.
You can read the report and learn more about the Ph.D. and Ed.D. experts who put it together here.
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