California ranked in the bottom third of states in measures of children’s well-being, according to the 2024 Kids Count Data Book, which details state trends on the topic.
The annual report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation compares data from 2019, before the pandemic, to 2022 as COVID restrictions were easing. By presenting 15 indicators related to well-being, education, health and family and community, the organization aims to ensure all students have what they need to meet academic milestones.
Nationally, six indicators worsened between the sample years, five improved and four were stagnant.
Indicators that got worse over time included teens not in school or working, young children (ages 3-4) not in school, fourth graders not proficient in reading, eighth graders not proficient in math, low birth-weight babies and children and teen deaths rates.
The number of children in poverty or living in high-poverty areas and those without health insurance decreased, as did the rates of children in families where the head of household lacks a high school diploma. The number of teen births also lessened.
Indicators that stayed the same were children whose parents lack secure employment, those living in households with a high housing cost burden, high schoolers not graduating on-time and young people in single-parent families.
“Today’s students, who will comprise America’s future workforce, are ill-prepared for the high-level reading, math and problem-solving skills required in a competitive global economy. The failure to adequately prepare our children will have dire consequences for their futures and for the economic vitality of our nation,” the foundation said, adding that disruptions related to the public health crisis aren’t solely to blame for worsening academic outcomes.
California
According its data profile, California ranks 35th among states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico when considering all indicators.
The number of children living in poverty and living without health insurance both decreased by 1 percent between 2019 and 2022, from 16 percent to 15 percent and 4 percent to 3 percent, respectively.
The percentage of families where the head of household doesn’t have a high school diploma dipped from 20 percent to 17 percent. Far less children lived in high-poverty areas in 2022 as the percentage dropped from 13 percent in 2013–17 to 5 percent. The rate of teen births per 1,000 dipped from 12 in 2019 to 10 in 2022.
The following indicators worsened in California between 2019 and 2022:
- Children whose parents lack secure employment: 27 percent to 28 percent
- Young children (ages 3-4) not in school: 51 percent to 55 percent
- Fourth graders not proficient in reading: 68 percent to 69 percent
- Eighth graders not proficient in math: 71 percent to 77 percent
- Low birth-weight babies: 7.1 percent to 7.4 percent
- Children and teen deaths per 100,000: 18 to 22
- Children in single-parent families: 33 percent to 34 percent
Indicators on children living in households with a high housing cost burden (41 percent), teens not in school or working (6 percent) and high schoolers not graduating on time (16 percent) stayed the same.
Recommendations
The report outlines recommendations for policymakers, school leaders and educators, including:
- Ensuring access to low- or no-cost meals, reliable internet access, study space and time with friends, teachers and counselors
- Expanding access to intensive tutoring
- Taking full advantage of pandemic relief funds and prioritizing students’ social, emotional, academic and physical well-being
- Addressing chronic absence
- Investing in community schools
