The map illustrates the variation in adult literacy rates across the United States, highlighting significant disparities between states. Minnesota and New Hampshire lead with the highest literacy scores of 278.8 and 278.7, respectively, indicating strong educational outcomes. In contrast, states like New Mexico and Mississippi show lower scores, both at 251.5, suggesting potential challenges in educational access or quality. The data reveals a geographical pattern where northern states generally exhibit higher literacy rates compared to southern states. This trend may reflect historical, economic, and policy differences impacting education. Notably, the District of Columbia, despite its urban setting, achieves a high score of 276.7, aligning with states like Vermont and Alaska, which also score above 276. The map's color gradient effectively visualizes these differences, with darker shades representing higher literacy rates. This visualization underscores the importance of targeted educational policies to address regional disparities and improve literacy nationwide. The data, sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics, provides a comprehensive overview of adult literacy, crucial for informing policy decisions and educational reforms.
