America's Smartest Kids

Every other year, 4th and 8th graders are tested in reading and math, and some states produce far more top achievers than others. The Daily Beast ranks which states are acing, and which are failing.

AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---massachusetts_v3mhvk — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 12%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 17%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 13%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 5%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---vermont_zjk7n7 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 9%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 13%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 12%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
Toby Talbot / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---new-jersey_vqkote — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 9%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 14%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 10%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 5%
Cody Glenn, The Daily Journal / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---new-hampshire_fvrwet — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 10%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 11%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 9%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 4%
Cheryl Senter / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---minnesota_tabdge — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 11%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 13%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 9%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---connecticut_melicq — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 10%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 11%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 5%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---pennsylvania_psfavd — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 10%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 10%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
Matt Rourke / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---maryland_w3arbh — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 9%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 12%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 11%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 4%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---washington_xzm7tn — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 11%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 4%
Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---ohio_vpqjc6 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 9%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
Scott Heckel, The Repository / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---colorado_dbljzi — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 10%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 11%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---virginia_f1jtl0 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 9%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Michaele White / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---montana_fqpdol — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 10%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Nikki Carlson, Havre Daily News / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---maine_bmadmb — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---wisconsin_qpmdo3 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Joseph W. Jackson III / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---kansas_rqu9et — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---illinois_vzrx0z — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 9%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---missouri_odxxrt — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---new-york_jhl1lt — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 9%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
Chris Hondros / Getty Images

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---indiana_n76ob2 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---oregon_jnlcix — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
Don Ryan / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---south-dakota_pdlihx — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Jay Pickthorn / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---military-school_nerbbv — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 4%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---nebraska_ayuvau — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 4%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Larry W. Smith / Getty Images

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---north-dakota_aaiwgl — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 1%
Sarah Kolberg, Grand Forks Herald / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---delaware_uralae — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 6
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---iowa_mfyiyj — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---utah_phwwf0 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Alan Murray / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---north-carolina_a6nm28 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 9%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 7%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
Chris Hondros, Newsmakers / Getty Images

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---florida_cgvdgm — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---kentucky_n2lrty — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 8%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---idaho_in4sbx — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5% Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---michigan_s04i4m — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---wyoming_pdtqvv — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 4%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Andy Carpenean / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---texas_p60ksi — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 4%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 8%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Andrew Nenque / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---rhode-island_ce2lhn — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 9%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Victoria Arocho / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---alaska_w2lrnm — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---south-carolina_kdvdvn — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 7%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Mary Ann Chastain / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---georgia_lezzwz — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---arizona_vqbjh2 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 4%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 6%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 3%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---california_xdkecw — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---arkansas_wwfiom — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 4%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---hawaii_jznar6 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 4%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 1%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---tennessee_slhrjr — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 3%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 4%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 2%
Joe Murphy / Getty Images

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---alabama_oqjryo — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 2%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 4%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 6%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 1%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---nevada_mmyptq — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 3%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 5%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 4%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 1%
Steve Marcus, The Las Vegas Sun / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---oklahoma_cc3kuk — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 3%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 3%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 4%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 1%
Sue Ogrocki / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---louisiana_i5px6l — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 2%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 4%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 2%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 1%
AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---new-mexico_qtdde3 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 3%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 3%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 4%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 1%
Jim Thompson, Albuquerque Journal / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---west-virginia_plwt70 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 2%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 2%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 4%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 1%
Lori Wolfe / AP Photo

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---washington-dc_a3ty76 — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 3%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 2%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 5%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 1%

galleries/2011/01/21/america-s-smartest-kids/smartest-kids---mississippi_wqgufa — Advanced level fourth graders, Math: 2%
Advanced level eighth graders, Math: 2%
Advanced level fourth graders, Reading: 4%
Advanced level eighth graders, Reading: 1%
AP Photo

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