As most Upstate students return to class next week, 106.3 WORD's Back to School 22 series focuses on the uphill battle for improvement among public schools statewide.
Historically, South Carolina has ranked near the bottom nationally in education for various reasons. A study published this summer shows that struggle continues. Research firm Wallethub ranked, Palmetto State Public Schools 46th in the country. The study incorporated several metrics to determine each state's score.
South Carolina ranked 41st in math testing, 40th in median SAT scores, and 47th in ACT averages. The state also ranked 42nd in drop out rate which might be the most concerning stat in the study.
As far as safety, South Carolina was 33rd in per capita rate of bullying incidents and 43rd in percentage of high school students that have been threatened or injured.
Neighboring states fared somewhat better as Georgia ranked 36th overall and North Carolina came in at 29. The study included Washington D.C. public schools to make a total of 51 states that were scored. South Carolina finished ahead of West Virginia, Arizona Louisiana, Alaska and New Mexico.