WalletHub ranks Florida’s school system 21st in the U.S.

WalletHub is ranking 2017's States with the Best and Worst School Systems.

According to the ranking, Massachusetts topped the list with New Jersey and New Hampshire rounding out the top three.  West Virginia, New Mexico and Louisiana are home to the three worst school systems in the U.S.

Florida ranks in the middle of the pack at number 21.

Analyst Jill Gonzalez says Florida could improve its standing by increasing the graduation rate.

“Right now, we’re seeing about a 22-percent dropout rate.  That’s pretty high.  Average is more like 12-to-15-percent,” said Gonzalez.

Florida also lags behind most states for its student-to-teacher ratio.

“For every 15 students, there is one teacher.  Typically, the sweet spot here is more like 12-to-13 students per teacher,” said Gonzalez.

According to the report, only 85-percent of Florida’s teachers are certified or licensed.  Gonzalez says the national average is closer to 95-percent.