[topher]

Two of the states in the map, Louisiana and Mississippi, are 49th and 50th in education out of the 50 states.

I don't know if either New Mexico or Tennessee might be in the high 40's (45-48) for education.

Having an educational system that is considered one of the worst in the country (Louisiana and Mississippi) is never a good sign.

Louisiana has suffered for political corruption for decades... So it will take time to overcame that as well.

[Alas Babylon!]

Both states have very high populations of African Americans. I know I am racist to point this out, but just as blacks make up a disproportionate number of criminals, so do they too consume welfare and other government handouts, as well as do poorly in school.

I wish is was not so, and would like to see them all do better, especially in education, but the culture is that doing well in school = acting white, and those who do so are pariahs among their peers.