Talking Points

rose.lexchron@gmail.com

Summer break is coming to a close.

Lexington County students and teachers will soon be returning to their classrooms.

The good news is our schools aren’t quite as bad off as some may think.

A recent WalletHub study ranked SC 39th overall out of the 50 states and District of Columbia.

The data sets range from pupil-teacher ratio to dropout rate to median standardized-test scores.

It found our state 39th for quality and 41st for safety.

Unfortunately, our state is tied in next-to-last place for having the lowest median test scores. Nevada tied with us.

The study also found SC 41st for highest percent of students threatened or injured on school property.

That includes those threatened or injured with a weapon.

The best-ranked schools were found in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The worst were in Arizona, Louisiana and New Mexico.

Mississippi was 48th overall.

Find the full study at https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-schools/5335/#main-findings .