The town of Sobral, in Ceará, was already being considered a sensation because of its good literacy rates. But now it has reached the education podium with Brazil, with the first place in Ideb 2017 for middle school (9th year).   

Sobral is also the political birthplace of presidential candidate Ciro Gomes' family. The town has a population of 200,000 and is 230 km (142 miles) away from capital Fortaleza. Its Ideb 2017 average for middle school went from 6.7 to 7.2, reaching the first position.

Sobral also leads in elementary school, with an index of 9.1. The national elementary school average index for all public school rose from 5.3 to 5.5 (above the set goal). There was also progress in the middle school average, from 4.2 to 4.4, but the average goal wasn't met.

Despite the better results, there is still much inequality. From the 5,077 municipalities indexed for elementary school, 54% managed to increase their scores and meet their goals. For middle schools, only 22% achieved similar success.

_{Translated by NATASHA MADOV}

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