A recent report from WalletHub has brought to light that multiple California cities are on the least educated list; This is a cause for concern, as proper education is essential for individuals to lead successful and fulfilling lives. Furthermore, this lack of education can have a ripple effect, causing lasting damage to the economy and society as a whole. If the students are struggling, then this also means communities are working as well.

WalletHub compares the 150 largest metropolitan statistical areas across 11 key metrics with data ranging from the share of adults aged 25 and older with at least a bachelor’s degree to the quality of the public school system.

The report shows that Ann Arbor, Michigan, is number one with a quality education score of one, while San Jose, California, is following behind at number two with an education quality score of 5, and Visalia, California, with a quality score of 147. Most of the cities in the top 10 least educated are school districts in California:
Most Educated Cities
1. Ann Arbor, MI
2. San Jose, CA
3. Washington, DC
4. San Francisco, CA
5. Madison, WI
6. Boston, MA
7. Durham, NC
8. Seattle, WA
9. Austin, TX
10. Provo, UT
Least Educated Cities
141. Corpus Christi, TX
142. Ocala, FL
143. Salinas, CA
144. Stockton, CA
145. Hickory, NC
146. Modesto, CA
147. Bakersfield, CA
148. McAllen, TX
149. Brownsville, TX
150. Visalia, CA

WalletHub also takes note of some extra findings on the percentage of high school students with diplomas. The highest is Ann Arbor, Michigan and the lowest is Bakersfield, California, followed by Salinas, California, and Visalia, California. So why does this information matter? It gives states a better idea of how they compare to other states and how they can improve the education system in their cities. Higher education doesn’t necessarily always mean students will do great things; however, the lower the education in communities indicates many issues like learning loss, poverty, unqualified teachers, inadequate funding, and more.

This statement is particularly troubling, as many of these cities are big or medium-sized metropolitan areas with a significant population. To address this problem, lawmakers must come together with schools to increase access to quality education. Furthermore, investing in early childhood education can help ensure that children enter school with the necessary skills and knowledge to function in society. By working together, California can overcome this challenge and ensure that all its citizens have access to quality education.

How Can California Improve its Overall Quality Score?

While California has many excellent institutions of higher learning, many cities in the state still have much to learn when it comes to managing their schools. To compete with other states in attracting top students and faculty, California must address its educational shortcomings. The first step is to make proper use of covid relief funds. Unfortunately, many states aren't properly audited, so people don't know where the majority of the funds are going. Proper management of funds will make sure students are getting the appropriate education they need. In addition, the state should focus on improving teacher training and development.

By providing better support for teachers, California can ensure that highly qualified educators are staffing its classrooms. Finally, the state needs to do a better job of holding schools accountable for their performance. The current system in place for many cities isn't enough, which is why most of the cities in California are at the bottom. By implementing a system of accountability, California can ensure that all its schools provide high-quality education.

Student Hires Programs

At Student Hires, we believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed in the 21st-century workforce. Our hands-on experiential learning programs are designed to give K-12 students from disadvantaged backgrounds a head start on their career journey. Led by college students who act as mentors and tutors, our programs allow participants to explore different careers, learn about college and financial aid, and develop essential life skills such as time management and teamwork. By investing in the education of our youth, we are helping to build a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.

Conclusion

As the report shows, multiple cities in California rank among the least educated in the country. So if you’re a resident of one of these cities, it’s essential to be aware of the resources available to you and your family. So let us know if your city is on this list so we can help out your community.