Report: The United States in Global Education Rankings and State-Level Education Standards for Liberty and Critical Thinking
This report examines the historical context of the United States’ position in global education rankings, specifically identifying periods when the U.S. was among the top five in the world for education. It also evaluates which states within the U.S. have historically led the way in educational achievement and which states currently exhibit the best education standards, with a focus on fostering liberty and critical thinking. The analysis is grounded in available data and aligns with a liberty-minded perspective that prioritizes individual freedom, limited government intervention, and the promotion of independent thought over standardized, state-driven curricula.
Historical Context: When Was the U.S. in the Top Five Globally for Education?
The United States has long been a leader in higher education, particularly in the quality and global influence of its universities, but its K-12 education system has not consistently ranked in the top five worldwide in recent decades. Historical data on global education rankings is sparse before the 1990s due to the lack of standardized international assessments, but we can infer trends based on educational attainment, innovation, and economic outcomes.
In the mid-20th century, particularly from the 1950s to the 1970s, the U.S. was often regarded as a global leader in education, especially in terms of access and innovation. Post-World War II, the G.I. Bill (1944) expanded higher education access, leading to a surge in college graduates—by 1960, the U.S. had one of the highest tertiary education attainment rates globally. The launch of Sputnik in 1957 spurred a national focus on math and science education, with federal initiatives like the National Defense Education Act (1958) boosting STEM programs. During this period, the U.S. likely ranked among the top five globally, as it led in educational attainment (average years of schooling) and was a hub for scientific innovation, producing more Nobel Laureates than any other nation.
However, standardized global assessments like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which began in 2000, reveal a different story. The U.S. has never ranked in the top five on PISA for math, science, or reading. In 2000, the U.S. ranked 15th in reading, 19th in math, and 14th in science out of 32 OECD countries. By 2022, the U.S. placed 16th in science (499, above the OECD average of 485) and 22nd in math (465, below the OECD average of 472), with reading scores similarly middling at 504 (OECD average 476). Top performers like Singapore, South Korea, Finland, and Japan consistently outpaced the U.S., with Singapore scoring 575 in math and 551 in science in 2022.
The U.S. did rank higher in specific metrics. The 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) placed the U.S. 6th out of 33 countries in reading for fourth-graders (548, well above the median of 500). In higher education, the U.S. dominates—boasting 329 of the top 2000 universities globally, including 19 of the top 25 (Times Higher Education, 2025). But K-12 rankings show a persistent lag, driven by disparities in funding, a focus on standardized testing over critical thinking, and a lack of emphasis on STEM compared to top-performing nations.
In summary, the U.S. was likely in the top five globally for education from the 1950s to the 1970s, based on higher education access, innovation, and economic outcomes, but it has not achieved this ranking in K-12 performance since standardized global assessments began.
States Leading the Way Historically
Historically, certain U.S. states stood out for their educational achievements, often driven by progressive policies, economic prosperity, and cultural emphasis on learning. During the mid-20th century, when the U.S. was a global leader, states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York were at the forefront:
- Massachusetts: Known for its early commitment to public education, Massachusetts passed the first compulsory education law in 1852. By the 1950s, it led in high school graduation rates (over 80% by 1960) and was home to top universities like Harvard and MIT, which drove innovation. Its focus on academic rigor and early adoption of STEM programs post-Sputnik made it a leader.
- Connecticut: Another early adopter of public education, Connecticut benefited from a strong industrial economy in the mid-20th century, funding robust school systems. The state’s emphasis on teacher training and curriculum development, particularly in math and science, aligned with national priorities after 1957. Hartford’s educational institutions also played a role in shaping national standards.
- New York: With a diverse population and a powerhouse economy, New York invested heavily in public education, particularly in urban centers like New York City. The state led in per-pupil spending (adjusted for inflation, it spent over $3,000 per pupil in 1960, among the highest) and boasted high literacy rates, thanks to well-funded schools and a focus on vocational training alongside academics.
These states led the way by prioritizing access, innovation, and academic excellence, contributing to the U.S.’s global standing during its peak educational era.
Current State Education Standards: Best for Liberty and Critical Thinking
Today, assessing which states have the “best” education standards requires a liberty-minded lens, prioritizing systems that foster critical thinking, minimize government overreach, and empower individual choice over standardized, state-driven curricula. Liberty in education means emphasizing parental rights, reducing reliance on standardized testing, and encouraging independent thought rather than rote memorization. Critical thinking is cultivated through curricula that focus on problem-solving, creativity, and real-world application, often seen in states with strong STEM programs and flexible learning environments.
Based on these criteria, the following states stand out in 2025 for their education standards, balancing academic performance with a liberty-first approach:
- New Hampshire
New Hampshire ranks highly for educational freedom, earning an “A” in the Cato Institute’s 2024 Education Freedom Report Card. The state’s Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, expanded in 2023, allows parents to use public funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, or other educational expenses—empowering choice over state control. New Hampshire also excels in academic outcomes, ranking 3rd nationally in U.S. News’ 2023 Best States for Education, with an 89% high school graduation rate and strong NAEP scores (287 in 8th-grade math, above the national average of 282). Its small class sizes (12:1 student-teacher ratio) and focus on local control foster critical thinking, as schools can tailor curricula to community needs rather than federal mandates. - Massachusetts
Massachusetts remains a leader in academic achievement, ranking 1st in U.S. News’ 2023 Best States for Education with a 91% high school graduation rate and top NAEP scores (294 in 8th-grade math, 301 in 8th-grade reading). While its system is more standardized than New Hampshire’s, it earns points for liberty through its emphasis on critical thinking. The state’s curriculum frameworks, updated in 2024, prioritize inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to analyze, debate, and solve real-world problems—key to independent thought. However, its high per-pupil spending ($22,000 in 2023) and state oversight can feel intrusive, though local school boards retain significant autonomy. - Montana
Montana stands out for its liberty-first approach, ranking 5th in Cato’s 2024 Education Freedom Report Card. The state has minimal standardized testing requirements, with no mandated state exams beyond federal minimums, allowing teachers to focus on critical thinking over test prep. Montana’s 2023 homeschooling laws are among the least restrictive, requiring only basic reporting, which supports parental freedom. Academically, it ranks mid-tier (26th in U.S. News’ 2023 Best States for Education), but its small class sizes (13:1 student-teacher ratio) and rural focus foster independent learning. Montana’s curriculum emphasizes practical skills like agriculture and environmental science, encouraging problem-solving over rote learning. - Florida
Florida ranks 2nd in Cato’s 2024 Education Freedom Report Card, thanks to its expansive school choice programs. The state’s 2023 universal school choice law allows all families to access education savings accounts (ESAs) for private schooling or homeschooling—empowering parents over bureaucrats. Florida also scores well academically, ranking 4th in U.S. News’ 2023 Best States for Education with an 88% high school graduation rate. Its curriculum, revised in 2024, includes civics education that emphasizes critical thinking about government and liberty, though some critics argue its ban on certain topics (e.g., critical race theory) limits open debate. Still, Florida’s focus on parental rights and practical skills makes it a leader in liberty-driven education. - Texas
Texas balances liberty with strong academic outcomes, ranking 8th in Cato’s 2024 Education Freedom Report Card and 10th in U.S. News’ 2023 Best States for Education (87% high school graduation rate). The state’s 2023 school choice expansion provides tax credits for private school tuition, enhancing parental freedom. Texas also minimizes state overreach by rejecting Common Core, allowing local districts to craft curricula that prioritize critical thinking—its 2024 TEKS standards emphasize inquiry-based learning in STEM and history. Texas scores 282 in 8th-grade math on NAEP (matching the national average), but its focus on real-world skills, like career and technical education (CTE) programs, prepares students for independent futures.
Analysis: Liberty and Critical Thinking in Education Standards
These states lead because they prioritize liberty through school choice, minimal standardized testing, and local control, while fostering critical thinking through curricula that emphasize problem-solving and independent thought. New Hampshire and Florida excel in parental freedom, allowing families to opt out of state systems that often prioritize conformity over creativity. Montana’s hands-off approach to testing and homeschooling lets students learn without government micromanagement. Massachusetts and Texas balance academic rigor with critical thinking, though their larger state systems can sometimes feel less liberty-focused due to standardized frameworks.
The U.S.’s global lag in K-12 education—22nd in PISA math (2022)—stems from a national overemphasis on standardized testing, which stifles critical thinking. Top-performing nations like Finland and Singapore focus on inquiry-based learning and teacher autonomy, not test-driven rote memorization. States like New Hampshire and Montana mirror this by rejecting heavy-handed federal standards, fostering environments where students can think independently—key to a liberty-minded education.
Conclusion
The U.S. was likely among the top five globally for education from the 1950s to 1970s, driven by higher education access and innovation, with states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York leading the way through robust public systems and STEM focus. Today, states like New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Montana, Florida, and Texas set the standard for liberty and critical thinking, prioritizing school choice, local control, and inquiry-based learning over federal overreach. To reclaim global leadership, the U.S. must adopt these liberty-first principles nationally—empowering individuals to think freely, not conform to a government script.