Maryland's public elementary and secondary schools have about 16 pupils per teacher - more than 32 other states. Utah's classrooms are the most crowded, with 22.1 pupils per teacher. The national ratio is 16-1. Figures are early estimates from the 2000-200 1 school year, and states are listed from smallest ratio to largest.

State......Pupils per teacher......Rank

Vermont..............11.9...............1

Massachusetts......12.4............2

Maine..................12.6...............3

Wyoming..............13.0..............4

Connecticut...........13.2..............5

New Jersey..........13.3..............6

New York..............13.6..............7

North Dakota.........13.7..............8

Nebraska...............13.7..............8

Virginia.................13.8..............10

South Dakota.........13.8..............10

Maryland................15.9..............33

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education

--SUN STAFF