The graph shows
The graphic, “Top 10 Best (and Worst) the Educated States and How They Voted” is representation based on a research study exploring the percentage of residents of 25 years and above with college degree in different America states. It classifies twenty regions as the ten most educated states and ten worst educated states. The graph also reveals the voting trends for the top nations and the bottom ten countries deriving the statistical data from the U.S Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The source shows the percentage of 25-year-old and above residents in different states with college degrees. Given that this a federal government agency, the data provided is considered authentic and reliable.
The graph shows the correlation and connection between education trends and voting patterns. It reveals that Massachusetts is the most educated American state, and 39.1% of its voter population of 25 and above are college degree holders. West Virginia is the worst educated state, and only 18.5% of its 25 years old and above voters have degrees. The representation of value in the graphic implies that there is a connection between education and voting; educated states voted for the democratic party represented using the blue colour while almost all worst educated states expect Nevada selected a Republican candidate represented in the red colour. When published in the news, it is more likely that people will assume that educated voters support Democrats while uneducated voters support Republicans.
The arguments presented in the graphic have some significant strengths. For instance, the states classified under both the best and worst states category are distributed across the United States. Therefore, geographical location has nothing to do with the voting patterns as much as the education patterns. Education translates to knowledgeability, which results in openness to explore different ideologies. From the perspective of knowledge, college degree holders are more likely to look at things from a more comprehensive picture due to the scope of their knowledge and experience. Therefore, they are more receptive new ideas, new systems of government that are a complete alteration of what they are accustomed, as such, they would likely support Democrats.
The graphic has potential deficits and limitation for instance the information presented in the graph is very subjective and questionable. It provides the assumption and suggestion that those who have completed college by the 25 are educated. It also uses a sample of persons of over 25 years with college degrees as a representation of the overall education status within the different states. Unfortunately, it fails to recognise people are pursing higher forms of education, including careers in law and medicine that may take longer than the current four years pushing their degree attainment age to above 30 years. It also does not examine the quality of education acquired by the 25 years degree holders. It does not include data of associate and bachelor’s degree that are also tertiary education degree that differ from the college degree.
Furthermore, having a college degree does not guarantee education. It also fails to explore how economic factors such as income affect the ability of groups to afford and access a college education. Ideally, most of the states ranked as worst educated have low minimum wage and income rates. For instance, the minimum wage rate of Massachusetts is $ 12 against West Virginia’s $ 8.75 per hour. Such value creates a difference in the standards of living and the ability to acquire tertiary education. Therefore, based on the weaknesses and deficits mentioned above the statistic represented in the graphics is misleading and may be misunderstood.
Although equitable access to tertiary education is almost impossible due to underlying factors, several adjustments can be made to redress the voting gaps that exist within different states with educational imbalances. It is imperative to promote public awareness through education and information on various parties, their manifestos, and what their declarations mean for society. There is also a need to advocate and implement strategies that will create economic balance among states to improve access and education standards across the United States. Therefore, the graph should not be attached to the new letter because it does not provide the perfect correlation between education and voting. It excludes critical underlying factors such as income, quality of education, among others.