This is really sad. Take a look at the full report, it breaks down state rankings across all indicators. Also, look closely at numbers rather than percentages especially in juvenile incarceration where both Texas and California don't rank the lowest but do have the greatest total number of incarcerations. -Patricia
Report by nonprofit evaluates states on 10 indicators
By Suzannah Gonzales
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Texas ranks 46th among the states in terms of child well-being, according to a report released Wednesday by a nonprofit group that promotes adopting national policies for children, youth and families.
Infant, child and teen deaths were among the 10 indicators considered in the Every Child Matters Education Fund's report, titled "Geography Matters: Child Well-Being in the States."
Texas ranked the worst for births to mothers 15 to 19 years old per 1,000 teen girls, as well as for the percentage of uninsured children. New Hampshire and Rhode Island, respectively, were the top states for those categories.
A combination of poverty, race, education, state tax burdens and declining federal investments in children, among others, explains the differences in child well-being among states, according to the report. The report says there are wide gaps among states.
The states where children live shouldn't adversely affect them, said the report's author and Every Child Matters founder Michael Petit, "but they do."
sgonzales @statesman.com; 445-3616
The 10 bottom states for child well-being, according to an Every Child Matters Education Fund report:
41. Arizona
42. South Dakota
43. Nevada
44. Arkansas
45. South Carolina
46. Texas
47. Oklahoma
48. New Mexico
49. Mississippi
50. Louisiana
The 10 top states:
1. Vermont
2. Massachusetts
3. Connecticut
4. Rhode Island
5. New Hampshire
6. Hawaii
7. Iowa
8. Minnesota
9. Washington
10. Maine
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