Education scores and rankings in United States

The Education Domain score is a score computed for each state, based on the indicators within the domain. The score ranges from 0 to 1,000 and is calculated using this formula: 1,000 – [(Value – Minimum Value) / (Maximum Value – Minimum Value)]*1,000. The minimum value is set as the best state value for each indicator based on data from 2019 and the maximum value is set as the worst state value for each indicator based on data from 2019. The indicator scores are averaged to produce a single domain score for each state, with all measures equally weighted.

A score of 1,000 represents the best education outcomes observed for each indicator in 2019, rather than a finish line. A state with a score of 1,000 still has room for improvement. Likewise, a score of 500 does not mean a state is doing half as well as one scoring 1,000, but it does indicate substantial room for improvement. Changes in scores over time — up to the latest available data, largely 2024 — reflect real changes in children's educational outcomes, not shifts in how states compare to one another. The new scores allow states to see their own progress or decline, in addition to how they compare to others. The rankings are based on the scores. Learn more about the new methodology at https://www.aecf.org/resources/the-new-kids-count-index-methodology.

The Education Domain score is a score computed for each state, based on the indicators within the domain. The score ranges from 0 to 1,000 and is calculated using this formula: 1,000 – [(Value – Minimum Value) / (Maximum Value – Minimum Value)]*1,000. The minimum value is set as the best state value for each indicator based on data from 2019 and the maximum value is set as the worst state value for each indicator based on data from 2019. The indicator scores are averaged to produce a single domain score for each state, with all measures equally weighted.

A score of 1,000 represents the best education outcomes observed for each indicator in 2019, rather than a finish line. A state with a score of 1,000 still has room for improvement. Likewise, a score of 500 does not mean a state is doing half as well as one scoring 1,000, but it does indicate substantial room for improvement. Changes in scores over time — up to the latest available data, largely 2024 — reflect real changes in children's educational outcomes, not shifts in how states compare to one another. The new scores allow states to see their own progress or decline, in addition to how they compare to others. The rankings are based on the scores. Learn more about the new methodology at https://www.aecf.org/resources/the-new-kids-count-index-methodology.