WASHINGTON RANKS 14TH IN THE NATION FOR CHILD WELL-BEING, BUT OUR STATE UNDERPERFORMS IN KEY AREAS
Recent data from the 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a 50-state report developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, shows that Washington is making progress in terms of overall child well-being. However, our state still has plenty of room to improve, especially in terms of education and economic well-being.
Key findings from the report include:
Washington ranks in the bottom half of states for education, coming in at 26: Data from 2018-2022 shows that 57% of Washington kids aged 3-4 were not in school compared to 54% nationally. Additionally, data from 2020-2021 shows that 18% of Washington high school students were not graduating on time compared to 14% nationally. Moreover, the percentage of Washington eighth graders not proficient in math (72%) is only slightly better than the national average (74%), and Washinton eighth graders experienced a significant decline in math proficiency during the pandemic, going from 60% of eighth graders not proficient in math in 2019 to 72% in 2022.
Washington ranks 28th in economic well-being: 2022 data shows that 31% of Washington kids lived in households with a high housing cost burden compared to 30% of kids nationally. Importantly, Washington’s 31% figure is up from 29% in 2019 whereas the national percentage stayed the same between 2019 and 2022.
Washington ranks 4th in health, but important indicators have worsened since 2019: Low birth weight babies rose from 6.4% to 7%; and child and teen deaths per 100,000 rose from 21 to 26.
Washington ranks 11th in family and community: Notably, the percentage of children living in high poverty areas was down to 2% according to data from 2018-2022, compared to 8% nationally.
“Access to high quality early learning and K-12 education sets our children up for future success,” said Dr. Stephan Blanford, “But many kids in Washington are not getting the support and resources they deserve. Now is the time for lawmakers to step up and identify sources of progressive revenue that will allow for increased investments in our education system.”
Children’s Alliance is the Washington state partner for KIDS COUNT. Stay tuned for further analysis of findings from the Data Book and how they can inform our policy priorities.