Massachusetts Employment and Education

The economy continues to improve across the state. The unemployment rate has dropped with the creation of close to 15,000 jobs every year. In 2005, the unemployment rate was 4.8% and has dropped in 2006 to 4.7%. Earnings have also increased 3.5% annually in the years 2003 and 2004.

Massachusetts has 1,878 schools in the state. In these schools, they spend an average of $10,986 per student annually on education. The education of all students is taken very seriously. In 2003, the fourth graders who passed basic requirements were at 84%. The number jumped to 91% in 2005. The eighth graders who passed the basic requirements for math was at 76% and increased to 80% in 2005. The graduation rate was 84.8 in 2000.