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Newsweek
6 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Reveals States Where Youth Are Most At Risk
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Research conducted by WalletHub has determined which states contain the most at-risk young people. WalletHub researchers looked at people between the ages of 18 and 24 across the country and factored in their education levels, number of connections, and health, to see which youth are faring the best and worst. The study determined that the three states where young people are the most at risk are Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The three states where young people are least at risk are Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. Newsweek has contacted the offices of the Governors of Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico for comment. Why It Matters Without schooling or steady employment, young people can find themselves in cycles of poverty. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said that stagnant youth pose a danger to the "future economic and social prospect" of their state. One option for unemployed and undereducated young people can be the military, but a 2022 study from the Pentagon found that 77 percent of young Americans are ineligible to serve due to their weight, drug use, or mental and/or physical health. A recruiter with the Orlando Utilities Commission, center, talks with a job seeker during the 24th Mayor's Job Fair, featuring over 80 companies looking to fill open positions at the Orange County Fairgrounds, Wednesday, Jan.... A recruiter with the Orlando Utilities Commission, center, talks with a job seeker during the 24th Mayor's Job Fair, featuring over 80 companies looking to fill open positions at the Orange County Fairgrounds, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. More Phelan M. Ebenhack via AP/Associated Press What To Know Researchers determined that Louisiana is the state with the most at-risk youth, as 16.6 percent of people aged 18-24 in the state are not working and are not obtaining education beyond a high school degree. This is the highest percentage of unemployed youth not in school in the country. This, combined with the 13.9 percent of Louisiana youth without a high school degree, and the second-highest youth poverty rate and third-highest teen birth rate in the country, has resulted in conditions that make it difficult for young people in Louisiana to improve their financial status, determined WalletHub researchers. Youth in Oklahoma were determined to be the second most at-risk by WalletHub due to their unemployment rate of 14.4 percent. They are also not reaching educational standards in school, as only 17 percent of eighth graders in the state are demonstrating math proficiency, and only 20 percent of eighth graders are proficient at an eighth-grade reading level, according to WalletHub. New Hampshire youth, who are seen as the least at-risk in the country by WalletHub, were determined by researchers to be the least disconnected from school or employment and have the lowest youth poverty rates in the country. Many experts who spoke with WalletHub about their findings discussed the gap between rural and urban youth. Kent Bausman, professor of Sociology at Bausman University, discussed the "broadband divide" between rural and urban populations, saying that remote work needs to be made more available to rural youth, and said that transportation access needs to be improved between rural and urban areas to more easily facilitate travel to internships and jobs. Jacqueline Yahn, Associate Professor of Teacher Education, Ohio University, told WalletHub that people often focus on mobility outside of rural areas, but do not invest inside the rural areas themselves, making it difficult for young people to build up their lives in the area they're from. What People Are Saying Kent Bausman, professor of Sociology at Bausman University, told WalletHub: "As the world continues to shift toward telework and remote employment opportunities, it is incumbent for policymakers to bridge this broadband divide so that young rural individuals are not left behind. Bridging this broadband divide would also increase rural residents' opportunities to attend school online for degree completions or certifications, strengthening their competitive position in the labor market and generating new social connections beyond their immediate geography." Jacqueline V Lerner, Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology at Boston College, told WalletHub: "Policies that fund programs for youth to become involved in gaining life skills and leadership opportunities would enable more youth who have become disconnected to succeed." What Happens Next Louisiana's state government has the Louisiana Youth for Excellence program, which enters schools to teach young people about life skills and leadership.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US school rankings 2025: Massachusetts claims top spot for best public education system, check complete list here
2025 US school rankings: WalletHub report shows wide education gap across states. (AI Image) 2025 US school rankings: The 2025 US school rankings, released by WalletHub, identify Massachusetts as having the best public education system in the country. The rankings evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 32 key metrics spanning school quality, safety, funding, class size, and instructor credentials. Massachusetts secured the highest overall score, leading the nation in multiple academic and safety indicators. WalletHub's comprehensive analysis examined a range of factors including test scores, Advanced Placement (AP) exam success, school safety, and pupil-to-teacher ratios. The data shows significant variation in the quality of public education across the US, with some states consistently outperforming others in both academic achievement and school environment. Massachusetts leads with top academic and safety performance Massachusetts earned the highest marks in overall quality and safety, ranking first and second respectively in these categories. According to the WalletHub report, Massachusetts students achieved top scores in core academic subjects such as fourth and eighth-grade math and reading. At the high school level, Massachusetts had the highest proportion of students scoring 3 or higher on AP exams, which measure college-level proficiency. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo Safety is another critical area where Massachusetts excelled. The state reported the fifth-lowest percentage of students threatened or injured with weapons on school grounds, the third-lowest share of students involved in physical fights, and the fourth-lowest rate of illegal drug availability on campus. Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, emphasized the importance of both funding and how it is applied, saying, 'Getting enough funding is essential for a productive school system, but simply having more money doesn't guarantee success. How funds are applied also plays a big role in how good a school system is, as does the quality of educators, other professionals and the curriculum,' as reported by WalletHub. Connecticut and New Jersey rank closely behind Connecticut took the second spot in the overall rankings and earned the second-best ACT scores nationally. The state also has 6.6% of its public schools ranked among the top 700 nationwide, the sixth-highest percentage in the country. Connecticut maintains one of the best pupil-to-teacher ratios, ranking eighth in the nation, which contributes to a better classroom environment. In terms of safety, Connecticut stands out for strict auditing practices and low rates of drug availability and weapon carrying on school property. The state is among only 17 that require regular audits of school safety. WalletHub noted Connecticut's efforts in maintaining a safe and effective learning environment as significant factors in its ranking. New Jersey ranked third overall, supported by strong reading and math test scores among fourth and eighth graders. The state holds the second-highest share of students scoring 3 or better on AP exams and has 8.6% of its public schools in the top 700 nationwide. New Jersey also emphasizes technology integration, boasting a dedicated digital learning plan to enhance education. Overview of the top 10 states with the best public school systems Rank State Total Score Quality Rank Safety Rank 1 Massachusetts 74.34 1 2 2 Connecticut 67.47 2 6 3 New Jersey 63.81 3 21 4 Virginia 61.32 6 5 5 New Hampshire 61 4 15 6 Wisconsin 60 5 17 7 Rhode Island 59 8 8 8 Indiana 59 9 12 9 Maryland 59 16 4 10 New York 58 7 20 Check complete list here Performance gaps and test score highlights The WalletHub report also highlighted the disparities between states. For example, California, which ranks among the highest in pupil-to-teacher ratios, scored near the top in ACT scores alongside Connecticut and the District of Columbia. Conversely, states like Oklahoma and Arizona rank near the bottom on multiple metrics. Median SAT and ACT scores highlight disparities Median SAT score (highest) Median SAT score (lowest) 1. Iowa 47. Delaware T-2. Kansas 48. Florida T-2. Wyoming 49. West Virginia 4. North Dakota 50. District of Columbia T-5. Nebraska 51. New Mexico T-5. Utah - Median ACT score (highest) Median ACT score (lowest) T-1. California T-44. Louisiana T-1. Connecticut T-44. Mississippi T-1. District of Columbia T-44. North Carolina T-4. Massachusetts T-49. Arizona T-4. New Hampshire T-49. Nevada T-49. Oklahoma - The median SAT scores show a similar divide, with Iowa, Kansas, and Wyoming ranking highest, while Delaware, Florida, and West Virginia fall near the bottom. The report emphasizes the wide gap between the best and worst performing states, noting a twofold difference in school system quality between California (top) and Oklahoma (lowest), according to WalletHub's analysis. School safety rankings reveal stark contrasts State Safety Rank Weapon carrying rank Drug availability rank Youth incarceration rank Massachusetts 2 6 4 10 Connecticut 6 2 1 2 New Jersey 21 15 10 18 Oklahoma 50 50 48 51 Methodology and data sources WalletHub's rankings are based on a weighted average of 32 metrics categorized into quality and safety dimensions. These include academic performance, funding sources, class size, teacher credentials, and safety indicators such as the prevalence of weapons, drug availability, and youth incarceration rates related to school incidents. Funding sources for public education are typically a combination of federal, state, and local government contributions. The report notes that state funding nearly matches local funding levels, with the federal government providing the smallest share. WalletHub's analysis underscores that while funding is essential, the effective application of resources is crucial for a successful public school system. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Newsweek
21-07-2025
- Newsweek
Map Shows States with the Best—and Worst—School Systems 2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey led the nation in public school quality in 2025, according to a new analysis by personal finance website WalletHub. How It Was Calculated The study ranked all states and the District of Columbia across 32 metrics clustered into two main categories: "Quality" and "Safety." Among these were graduation and test scores, Advanced Placement (AP) exam performance, pupil-to-teacher ratios, and the incidence of school bullying or violence. States were also assessed for their use of technology, effectiveness of digital learning plans, and instructor qualifications. What To Know Massachusetts ranked first in the nation overall, leading in all core subjects for fourth and eighth-grade test scores. High school students also excel, the report said, with the highest percentage scoring 3 (out of 5) or above on AP exams. Additionally, Massachusetts schools are among the safest, the report found, with low rates of violence, physical fights, and drug availability on campus. Connecticut ranked second, with top ACT scores and a high concentration of public schools among the best nationwide. It also has the third-highest share of students scoring 3 or above on AP exams and one of the best pupil-to-teacher ratios. In terms of safety, Connecticut excels with mandatory school safety audits, the lowest rate of illegal drugs on campus, the second-lowest youth incarceration rate, and one of the lowest rates of students carrying weapons at school, according to the report. New Jersey ranked third nationally for its school systems, supported by a strong digital learning plan and a favorable pupil-to-teacher ratio. It boasts the second-highest reading scores and fifth-best math scores for fourth and eighth graders, along with the second-largest share of students scoring 3 or higher on AP exams. Additionally, about 8.6 percent of its public schools rank among the top 700 in the country, WalletHub said. The states in WalletHub's 2025 top ten best school systems included: Massachusetts Connecticut New Jersey Virginia New Hampshire Wisconsin Rhode Island Indiana Maryland New York Conversely, the lowest ranking states were: New Mexico Oklahoma Alaska Arizona Oregon Nevada West Virginia Louisiana Alabama Hawaii What People Are Saying WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report: "Getting enough funding is essential for a productive school system, but simply having more money doesn't guarantee success. How funds are applied also plays a big role in how good a school system is, as does the quality of educators, other professionals and the curriculum. In addition, schools need to focus not just on test scores but also on making sure that students feel safe, comfortable and cared for." What Happens Next WalletHub releases its "States with the Best & Worst School Systems" report annually.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
America's financial distress: Texas ranks number one on the list among states; falling credit score, borrowings surge
Represntative image (AI) While financial hardship affects many across the US, Texas ranks as the number one state struggling the most financially, according to a new WalletHub report. WalletHub conducted a comparison of all 50 US states to identify where residents are experiencing the most financial distress. The analysis considered nine metrics across six key categories, including average credit scores, the percentage of individuals with 'accounts in distress' (such as those in forbearance or with deferred payments), the year-over-year change in bankruptcy filings from March 2024, and online search trends for terms like 'debt' and 'loans. ' Texas, being ranked the most financially distressed state in 2025, may come as a surprise, given that the state boasts a gross domestic product (GDP) larger than that of many countries and continues to have one of the top 10 strongest state economies in the US. Its rank, however, has declined compared to previous years. Despite the state's strong economy, many Texans are facing serious financial strain in 2025. The study revealed that Texas had the ninth-lowest average credit score in the country in the first quarter of the year. Additionally, the state saw the sixth-largest rise in personal (non-business) bankruptcy filings over the past year, with a 22 percent increase. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo The report also highlighted that Texas ranked third in the number of accounts per person in forbearance or with deferred payments, and had the seventh-highest percentage of residents with distressed accounts overall, at 7.1 percent. This is the standing of Texas on key indicators of the study, where being first is equivalent to being most distressed. No. 5 – "Loans" search interest index rank No. 6 – Change in bankruptcy filings from March 2024 to March 2025 rank No. 7 – Average number of accounts in distress rank No. 8 – People with accounts in distress rank No. 13 – Credit score rank and 'debt' search interest index rank This also pointed to a trend that Texans were frequently searching for terms like 'debt' and 'loans,' which WalletHub says signals a strong urgency to borrow money, even though many residents are already in debt. Analysing financial stress at the state level is crucial for understanding how Americans are coping with broader economic challenges such as inflation, unemployment, and natural disasters, according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. 'When you look at delayed payments alongside factors like bankruptcy rates and shifts in credit scores, it gives a clear view of a state's overall financial health,' Lupo said. The other end of the list includes states like Hawaii (No. 50), Vermont (No. 49), and Alaska (No.48), as the least financially distressed states in America. The top 10 states with the most people in financial distress in 2025 are: No. 1 – Texas No. 2 – Florida No. 3 – Louisiana No. 4 – Nevada No. 5 – South Carolina No. 6 – Oklahoma No. 7 – North Carolina No. 8 – Mississippi No. 9 – Kentucky No. 10 – Alabama
Business Insider
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The 10 best cities for first-time homebuyers — and 10 that are the worst
WalletHub ranked 300 US cities to reveal the best and worst places for first-time homebuyers. Cities were scored on 22 factors, from housing costs and weather to crime rates and school quality. Most top cities for first-time buyers are in Florida, while most of the worst are in California. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows there are fewer first-time homebuyers than ever in the market. The market share of first-time homebuyers decreased from 32% in 2023 to 24% in 2024 — the lowest share since NAR began tracking in 1981. It's also taking longer for Americans to secure their first home. The median age of a first-time homebuyer increased from 35 in 2023 to 38 in 2024. Still, it's not impossible to buy for the first time, and some cities have better conditions than others. The personal-finance website WalletHub analyzed 300 US cities of all sizes across 22 metrics, grouped into three key categories: affordability, the local real estate market, and quality of life. Factoring in elements like housing costs, weather, crime rates, and school quality, the cities were ranked based on how well they support first-time homebuyers. "Buying a home for the first time is a very stressful and difficult process, especially when housing prices are through the roof and interest rates have risen sharply in the past few years," WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo said. "The best cities for first-time home buyers not only are affordable both in terms of buying a house and living there afterward, but they also have a lot of housing choices as well as low crime rates and good schools." According to WalletHub, six of the best 10 cities for first-time homebuyers are in Florida, while all but one are in the South. California garnered the most cities at the bottom of the list. Here are the 10 best cities for first-time homebuyers and the 10 worst, according to WalletHub. 9. Lakeland, Florida Population: 124,990Median household income: $60,947Median home-sale price: $315,000Real estate market rank: 9Affordability rank: 139Quality of life rank: 15 8. Orlando Population: 334,854Median household income: $69,268Median home-sale price: $403,500Real estate market rank: 7Affordability rank: 159Quality of life rank: 17 6. Gilbert, Arizona Population: 288,790Median household income: $121,351Median home-sale price: 593,500Real estate market rank: 17Affordability rank: 34Quality of life rank: 85 5. Huntsville, Alabama Population: 230,402Median household income: $70,778Median home-sale price: $343,000Real estate market rank: 35Affordability rank: 36Quality of life rank: 43 4. Surprise, Arizona Population: 167,564Median household income: $93,371Median home-sale price: $435,000Real estate market rank:Affordability rank: 1Quality of life rank: 207 10. San Mateo, California Population: 103,006Median household income: $152,669Median home-sale price: $1,725,000Real estate market rank: 261Affordability rank: 287Quality of life rank: 245 9. New Orleans Population: 362,701Median household income: $55,339Median home-sale price: $385,000Real estate market rank: 195Affordability rank: 213Quality of life rank: 295 Population: 289,600Median household income: $98,152Median home-sale price: $425,000Real estate market rank: 259Affordability rank: 152Quality of life rank: 298 7. Costa Mesa, California Population: 109,131Median household income: $110,073Median home-sale price: $1,640,000Real estate market rank: 230Affordability rank: 297Quality of life rank: 188 6. Los Angeles Population: 3,878,704Median household income: $80,366Median home-sale price: $1,124,000Real estate market rank: 255Affordability rank: 294Quality of life rank: 246 3. Oakland, California Population: 443,554Median household income: $97,369Median home-sale price: $868,000Real estate market rank: 275Affordability rank: 231Quality of life rank: 300
