Conditions for children in Arizona remain among worst in the nation
Jun 27, 2018, 5:01 AM | Updated: 9:01 am
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX — Conditions for kids growing up in Arizona remain among the worst in the nation, according to data in a comprehensive report that assessed child well-being.
Arizona ranked 45th overall in the 2018 Kids Count Data Book, which was released Wednesday.
“What really jumps out in this report is our very high child poverty rate,” Dana Wolfe Naimark, president and CEO of Children’s Action Alliance, told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “Nearly one in four children in Arizona are growing up poor.”
According to the report, which is compiled annually by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 24 percent of Arizona children lived in poverty, ranking 43rd. The national average was 19 percent.
“And this is after years of an economic recovery and lots of celebrations of job growth and low unemployment rates,” said Wolf Naimark, whose group advocates for children in Arizona.
“It really shows us that we have not translated the broad economic recovery into children’s health, education and security, and we’re leaving so many children behind.”
The study ranks the states each year on 16 indicators in four main areas: education, health, poverty and family and community factors.
The 2018 #DataBook is here! This year we’re focused on the impact of the #2020census on kids, families and communities. Download at https://t.co/9oQpnrzx9M. pic.twitter.com/qwXigDThAV
— KIDS COUNT (@aecfkidscount) June 27, 2018
Arizona ranked 46th overall in 2017, but year-to-year comparisons are skewed by methodological changes in one indicator (teens ages 12 to 17 who abused alcohol or drugs). The state was among the bottom 10 in nine of the 16 indicators.
Arizona’s best performance was in the category of low birth weight babies, where it ranked 16th, up one place from last year, at 7.3 percent. The national average was 8.2 percent.
The state lost ground in two indicators that measure educational performance, falling from 40th to 43rd in fourth graders who scored below proficient reading level and from 18th to 25th in eight graders who fell below proficient math level.
“It reinforces what we’ve been hearing for months with the Red for Ed movement and with the consistent calls across the political spectrum, across business and community leaders, as well as teachers and parents, that we need to reinvest in our public schools,” Wolf Naimark said.
With elections coming up, Wolf Naimark said voters should ask candidates what they will do for kids’ well-being.
“It’s really time to focus and make sure we translate economic growth and economic health into meaningful conditions for children,” she said.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.