Child Well-being Survey Ranks Florida in Bottom Half of States According to the recently released Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual Kids Count Data Book, Florida ranks in the bottom half of states for child well-being. The survey, which measures child health, education, economic security, and family and community factors, found that Florida ranks 35th out of 50 states overall. Key Findings: * Economic Security: Florida has the highest child poverty rate in the nation, with 22% of children living in poverty. * Health: Florida ranks 36th in the nation for infant mortality and 37th for childhood obesity. * Education: Florida ranks 29th in the nation for fourth-grade reading proficiency and 32nd for eighth-grade math proficiency. * Family and Community: Florida ranks 34th in the nation for teen pregnancy and 30th for the percentage of children living in single-parent households. Implications: These findings paint a troubling picture of the well-being of children in Florida. The high poverty rate, low educational attainment, and poor health outcomes are all factors that can have a lasting impact on children’s lives. Call to Action: The data from the Kids Count Data Book should serve as a wake-up call for Florida policymakers and stakeholders. It is imperative that the state takes action to improve the lives of its children. This includes investing in programs to reduce poverty, improve education, and promote healthy families. Florida Phoenix: The Florida Phoenix, a nonpartisan news outlet, has been reporting on the issue of child well-being in Florida for years. The Phoenix has published a series of articles highlighting the challenges facing children in the state. The outlet has also advocated for policies that would improve the lives of Florida’s children. Conclusion: The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Book is a valuable tool for tracking the well-being of children in the United States. The data from the survey shows that Florida has a long way to go to improve the lives of its children. The state must act now to implement policies that will put children on a path to a brighter future.Florida’s Well-Being Ranking and Key Findings
Florida’s Well-Being Ranking and Key Findings Florida currently ranks 30th in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2024 Kids Count Data Profile, a report that assesses the well-being of children and families across the country. This ranking indicates some improvements in specific areas, but also highlights persistent challenges in others. Key Findings: * Math proficiency among Florida eighth-graders declined from 69% to 77% between 2019 and 2022, while national proficiency rates increased from 67% to 74%. * Fourth-grade reading proficiency in Florida remained steady at 61% while national proficiency rates decreased from 66% to 68%. * Florida high school graduation rates improved, with only 10% of students not graduating on time in 2021, compared to 13% in 2019. * The number of deaths among children and teens in Florida increased from 25 to 30 per 100,000 between 2019 and 2022. * Florida’s overall ranking improved slightly, from 31st in 2023 to 30th in 2024. Concerns Raised: Despite the improvement in overall ranking, several areas of concern were raised: * Florida remains in the bottom half of states for economic well-being, health, and family and community. * The decline in math proficiency among eighth-graders raised concerns about the effectiveness of instructional methods during the pandemic. * The contrast between high education rankings and lower rankings in other categories suggests a disconnect between educational opportunities and the overall well-being of children and families. Recommendations: * Increased investment in public schools, including internet access, study spaces, and tutoring for struggling students. * Expanded Medicaid coverage and improved access to KidCare. * Rejection of policies that limit access to healthcare or target vulnerable populations. * Prioritization of funding for health and human services to address disparities. Historical Context: Since 2012, Florida has shown some improvements in certain areas: * Education ranking rose from 34th to 39th. * Healthcare ranking rose from 45th to 39th. * Family and community ranking rose from 35th to 30th. However, economic well-being remains a significant challenge, with Florida ranking 45th in 2014 and 42nd in 2024.
Child Well-Being Survey Ranks Florida in Bottom Half of States A recent survey conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation has ranked Florida in the bottom half of states in terms of child well-being. The survey, which ranks states based on 16 indicators of child health, education, and economic security, found that Florida ranked 33rd overall. The survey found that Florida has made some progress in recent years, but it still faces significant challenges. For example, the state’s infant mortality rate is higher than the national average, and a significant number of children live in poverty. The survey’s findings are a reminder that Florida needs to do more to support its children. By investing in programs that promote child health, education, and economic security, the state can help to improve the lives of its youngest residents. Some of the key findings of the survey include: * Florida’s infant mortality rate is 6.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is higher than the national average of 5.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. * 22% of children in Florida live in poverty, which is higher than the national average of 17%. * Only 63% of Florida’s fourth-graders are proficient in reading, which is lower than the national average of 67%. * Only 59% of Florida’s eighth-graders are proficient in math, which is lower than the national average of 62%. The survey’s findings are a call to action for Florida policymakers. By investing in programs that support children, the state can help to improve the lives of its youngest residents and create a brighter future for all Floridians.
