Written by Ken Taylor, ED/CEO

The 2018 KIDS COUNT^® Data Book was released yesterday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. For nearly 30 years, the Data Book has provided an annual, comprehensive look at the well-being of children in Wisconsin and across the nation.

According to the 2018 Kids Count Data Book, Wisconsin is ranked 12^th overall in child well-being. Despite its relatively high ranking, Wisconsin can be doing a lot more to give every child in the state the opportunity to thrive. The ranking is based on data within 4 categories: 1) Economic Well-being, 2) Education, 3) Health, and 4) Family and Community.

Within economic well-being, child poverty remains stubbornly high in Wisconsin with nearly 200,000 children impoverished. And there has been no change in the number of children living in high-poverty areas, despite the fact that the economy has rebounded for many families and communities. Growing up in poverty is one of the greatest threats to healthy child development.

In addition, Wisconsin’s overall relatively high well-being masks significant racial and ethnic disparities. For example, 49 percent of African-American children live in poverty compared to 10 percent of white children in the state. Also, 39 percent of American Indian Children, 33 percent of Latino children and 22 percent of Asian-American children in Wisconsin live in poverty.

The most troubling statistic within the education category is that nearly 2/3 of 4^th Graders in Wisconsin are not reading proficiently. This is a critical marker in a child’s educational development because by that point children use reading to learn other subjects. Children who reach 4^th grade without being able to read proficiently are more likely to struggle academically and drop out of school, which reduces earning potential and chances for career success as adults.

When it comes to health, it is very concerning that the percent of low birth-weight babies in Wisconsin is on the rise. These babies had a high probability of experiencing developmental problems and short-and long-term disabilities.

One of the bright spots within the report is the ongoing decrease in teen births with the number of teen births decreasing both nationally and in Wisconsin. The rate of teen births decreased over 40% in the past six years. This is important because teenage childbearing can have long-term negative effects for both mother and child.

Policymakers could be doing a better job at creating policies and programs that provide opportunities for every child in the state — especially children of color, whose well-being is most challenged. The gap in well-being between white children and children of color in Wisconsin is shameful. It is time policymakers prioritize closing these gaps and target investments in programs and policies that support both parents and children of color.