Every year, the KIDS Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks all 50 states from 1 to 50 using 16 key indicators of child well-being. In this year’s version, the Grand Canyon State placed 40th, a slight increase from last year’s ranking of 42nd.
For the first time this year, states also receive a comprehensive score from 0 to 1,000. Scores show whether policies and public investment have actually improved children’s lives, not just how states compare to each other. Arizona received a score of 446, below the national score of 547.
Some of the lowest scores were in the education domain, coming in at 141. Education in the Grand Canyon State is at a new low, with nearly 74% of fourth graders not testing proficiently in reading and math, worse than last year’s 69%. However, the overall ranking for education as compared to national numbers comes in at 47th in the country, staying consistent with last year’s ranking.
January Contreras, executive director of Children’s Action Alliance, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss Arizona’s low ranking.
