Pennsylvania Residents Are Failing at This Basic Skill

Pennsylvania has some great school systems and fantastic colleges and universities. But, as it turns out, Pennsylvania residents are failing at a basic skill, according to a new study, and it's an educational one.

Preply.com has put together a list of the states with the best and worst rankings in grammar and spelling. "The last time most Americans were quizzed on their grammar skills was in high school. So after several years, do they still remember the basics?" they ask in the study. "In this study, we wanted to see which states rely on tools like autocorrect and which have committed grammar and spelling rules to memory. We surveyed more than 1,800 Americans and tested their knowledge."

Before we get to our state, let's look at the best states for grammar and spelling in the U.S. According to the study, California, Connecticut and Georgia were the only states to receive an A on their grammar skills. Moreover, residents in Virginia, Michigan and Tennessee got the lowest grammar scores.

Onto Pennsylvania. According to the research, Pennsylvania residents are the second worst at spelling in America, tied with Arizona residents. Pennsylvania was named the No. 2 state in need of using spellcheck. I am honestly very surprised. "Spellcheck can truly be a saving grace," Preply.com states. "For many people, including those living in Maine, Arizona, and Pennsylvania, some words are just impossible to spell without technology fixing them." The state with the No. 1 best spelling score is actually New Jersey, so our neighbors. You would think some of that spelling magic would spill over to Pennsylvania. Find the full list of the U.S. states ranked for grammar and spelling here.

If you have little ones at home, chances are you want them to get the best education possible. As it turns out. Pennsylvania has 10 of the best schools in America, according to a new report.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has recognized 297 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022, including an impressive 10 schools in Pennsylvania. The honor is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, according to a press release. These schools showcase "what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students' lives," which is what earns them this high honor of being considered the top schools in the U.S.

"The National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content," a press release from Cardona's office states. "A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. National Blue Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and a model for schools still striving for excellence. With its 39th cohort of awardees, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed more than 10,000 awards to over 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards."

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year for the honor of being the best schools in America, according to a press release. The Department accepts nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

So, which Pennsylvania schools are considered 10 of the best schools in America? Read on for the full list of 2022 honorees. The schools hail from all over the state of Pennsylvania, including in the Philadelphia area. For more information on all 297 schools that have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools for the 2022 school year, go here.

Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 616
Award year: 2022
High School
Title I School, Magnet School

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/22pa119pu_arts_academy_at_benjamin_rush.html

Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 1315
Award year: 2022
High School

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/22pa111pu_bethel_park_high_school.html

Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 404
Award year: 2022
Elementary School

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/22pa106pv_corpus_christi_school.html

Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 1954
Award year: 2022
High School

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/22pa117pu_council_rock_high_school_south.html

Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 573
Award year: 2022
Elementary School
Title I School

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/22pa112pu_elk_valley_elementary_school.html

Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 272
Award year: 2022
Elementary School
Title I School

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/22pa113pu_hepburn_lycoming_elementary_school.html

Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 265
Award year: 2022
Elementary School

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/22pa100pv_mother_teresa_regional_catholic_school.html

Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 345
Award year: 2022
Middle School

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/22pa120pu_new_hope_solebury_middle_school.html

Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 196
Award year: 2022
Elementary School
Title I School

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/22pa121pu_oswayo_valley_elementary_school.html

Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 295
Award year: 2022
Elementary School
Title I School

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/22pa122pu_rockwood_area_elementary_school.html