1.   The state ranked fifth in the top five fastest growing states in the nation in terms of job growth.

2.   Because of it, the state always has ranked near the top nationally in childhood immunization rates.

3.   But both states rank low in automating their records.

4.   Despite recent initiatives for reducing class size and expanding other programs, the state still ranks among the lowest in the country in per-pupil funding.

5.   In addition, many Southern states ranked high in percentage of poor women.

6.   Last fall, the state ranked the junior high school among the worst performers in the city.

7.   Last year, the state ranked eighth in the nation in per capita income.

8.   Midwest states ranked among the lowest in levels of child poverty in the United States.

9.   No wonder the state ranks below most others in basic services such as education and health care.

10.   Only five states ranked worse.