The Cowboy State has been ranked the best in the west for education quality.

Education Week's Quality Counts 2016 report ranked Wyoming eighth in the nation and gave the state an overall score of 80.2 out of 100 and a grade of B-minus.

"The efforts of our state to make education a priority are starting to show," said State Superintendent Jillian Balow. "The development of a responsive state accountability system with funding support has put Wyoming ahead of the curve, especially now with the transition into ESSA. Thanks to our legislators, congressional delegation, and community education leaders, we have a framework that allows us to create opportunities for students to keep Wyoming strong."

The grades were based on three key indices: the Chance-for-Success Index; K-12 Achievement Index; and school finance.

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