The states where K-12 students care most about doing well in school, ranked

School children interact with their teacher. Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images A study from the US health department shows which states' children are most engaged in school. The study surveyed 70,282 children's homework habits and care for their school performance. New Jersey saw the highest student engagement, while Alaska saw the lowest. As the back-to-school season approaches — or, in some states, has already begun — students, teachers, and parents are preparing for another year of hard work and focus on school. But the extent to which children care about learning varies across US states, according to a 2023-2024 study by the National Survey of Children's Health, a data collection program funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau.