Georgia Improves National Ranking For Child Well-Being

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Reporter: Kara Duffy

Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2012 Kids Count Report shows Georgia ranks 37th in the nation for overall child well-being; it’s best grade to date.

The report looked at four contributing factors to child’s well-being which include: family and community, economic well-being, education, and health.

Results show Georgia saw a drop in child and teen death rates, as well as a decline in the number of children without health insurance.

There were also academic improvements. More high school students in Georgia graduated within just four years and students saw an increase in reading and math skills.

Improvements parents say, are a step in the right direction.

“If they can get their basic knowledge early, they’ll be able to read better, and if you can read, you can do a lot of other things,” said mother and grandmother, Linda Benton. “They are the future of our country.”

While most of the report’s findings are encouraging, results show that Georgia still struggles with the number of children living in poverty and children living with unemployed parents.
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For a full report or to see how other states weigh in, go to www.aecf.org.

Read the story on wc.tv.

Read the 2012 KIDS COUNT Data Book.

For interactive statewide data, visit Georgia KIDS COUNT at gafcp.org/kidscount.

Follow us on Twitter @gafcpnews.