Education Week: Maryland Schools Top in Nation

Maryland schools were ranked the best in the nation for the fifth year in a row, according to a study released by Education Week. Gov. Martin O’Malley and other state and local officials celebrated the ranking at Jones Elementary School in Severna Park on Thursday afternoon.

“There is no better investment than education,” O’Malley told the crowd at the school. “Thanks to tough choices and important priorities we made Maryland schools No. 1 for the fifth year in a row.”

House Speaker Michael Busch (D-Annapolis) and Betty Weller, president of the Maryland State Education Association, also addressed the crowd Thursday. Busch said that he has two daughters in Anne Arundel County Public Schools and he is very proud of that.

Click here to read more about O'Malley's visit to Jones Elementary.

Maryland received an 87.5, B+ grade in the publication's analysis. Massachusetts trailed by 3.4 points to secure a second-place ranking.

At the other end of the spectrum, the report lists South Dakota as the lowest performing state at 69.3, D+. 

A majority of the states—38 to be exact—fell along the C range. The nationwide average was 76.9, C+, which is a half point up from the 2012 average of C.

Factors considered in the rankings include indicators of student achievement and teacher quality, disciplinary policies, how students' needs to cope with academic and personal pressures are being met and the role of parents and community groups.