At What Grade Level Does Congress Speak?--PICTURES

By National Journal Staff

Updated: May 23, 2012 | 1:43 p.m.
May 22, 2012 | 2:30 p.m.

The Sunlight Foundation's new report is making waves, as it shows that on average, members of Congress speak at the level of a high school sophomore. We take a look at the highest and lowest scorers of the 112th Congress. As a whole, elected officials have dropped a full grade level since 2005.

CORRECTION: The original version of this slideshow gave the incorrect state for Rep. Mike Crapo. He represents Idaho.

Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif.Grade Level: 20 (graduate-level) (Courtesey of the office of Dan Lungren)

Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa.Grade Level: 15.7 (college-level) (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Rep. Daniel Akaka, D-HawaiiGrade Level: 15 (college-level) (Liz Lynch)

Rep. John Mica, R-Fla.Grade Level: 14.8 (college-level) (Lawrence Jackson/AP)

Rep. Mike Crapo, R-Id.Grade Level: 14.5 (college-level) (Matt Cilley/AP)

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md.Grade Level: 7.8 (middle-school level) (Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP)

Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo.Grade Level: 7.7 (middle-school level) (Jeff Roberson/AP)

Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn.Grade Level: 7.4 (middle-school level) (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.Grade Level: 7 (middle-school level) (Lawrence Jackson LAWRENCE JACKSON/AP)

Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla.Grade Level: 6.7 (middle-school level) (Steve Cannon/AP)

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