Minnesota Ranked 4th In Nation For Well-Being; Loses Points In Health And Education

There's good news and bad news for parents of children in the State of Minnesota:  A new set of research data places that state 4th in the nation for overall well-being for children;  But that same date also shows that the state is losing ground in the health and education of it's population under the age of 18.

In the newly released Annie E. Casey Foundation 2013 KIDS COUNT Data Book Minnesota maintained its decade-long overall ranking in the top five states according to the index of child well-being. However, key health and education indicators for Minnesota children were concerning.

In addition to the overall ranking, the report rates states in four areas of child well-being: Economic Well-Being, Education, Health, and Family and Community. Minnesota’s child health ranking went from 7th last year to 15th this year. Between 2008 and 2011 the percentage of children in the nation without health insurance decreased by 30 percent, but in Minnesota it remained virtually unchanged. 80,000 Minnesota children, or six percent, remain uninsured. Another indicator where Minnesota fell behind the nation is in education. The percentage of fourth graders not proficient in reading nationwide decreased from 70 percent in 2005 to 68 percent in 2011. In Minnesota the percentage of fourth graders not proficient in reading increased over the same time period from 62 percent to 65 percent.

More information from the study is available by clicking this link.