BARRE, Vt. --Vermont is the brightest state in the
country, according to a Kansas publisher.
Morgan Quitno Press ranked Vermont at the
top of the list, ahead of Connecticut, which was second, followed by
Massachusetts, New Jersey and Maine.
"Vermont shines in many key areas of education," said Scott Morgan,
president of Morgan Quitno Press. "A high percentage of its students excel in
reading, writing and math. In addition, schools in Vermont have smaller class
sizes and lower pupil-teacher ratios than in most other states."
The publisher compiled its yearly list of the smartest states measuring
21 factors.
Last year, Vermont ranked third, and second the year before.
Arizona was at the bottom of the list, below Mississippi, New Mexico,
Nevada and California.
The publisher also says Vermont is the healthiest state, the second
safest and the third most livable.
That was nice to hear after seeing Fortune's (I think that's where it was,
but I can't find it) list showing Vermont as the #6 most unfriendly state
when it comes to taxes - 6th highest ratio of taxes vs. household
income.