Idaho scores well for childhood well-being — but education scores are mixed

Idaho generally ranked well in a national study on childhood well-being — but the Gem State’s education scores were mixed.

Overall, Idaho landed No. 13 in the nation in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual Kids Count Data Book. The Baltimore-based foundation graded each state across 16 metrics.

Here’s how Idaho stacked up, category by category:

Education: 36. Idaho came in above the national average for fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math scores. However, more than two-thirds of Idaho students still fell shy of a “proficient” score in each national test. Idaho lagged behind the national average on two other metrics: the percentage of 3- and 4-year-olds in school, and on-time high school graduation rates.

Family and community: 5. In this category, Idaho beat the national averages on all four measures: teen birth rates, child poverty, children in single-parent households and the percentage of children living with a head of household who lacks a high school diploma.

Economic well-being: 15. A lower percentage of Idaho children live in poverty, live in households facing a high burden of housing costs, or live with parents who “lack secure employment.” But a slightly higher percentage of Idaho teens are not in school and are not working.

Health: 19. Idaho’s childhood obesity rates and low birth-weight childbirth rates are lower than the national average, and childhood death rates mirror the national average. However, a higher percentage of Idaho children have no health insurance — and that percentage is rising.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism, and extensive experience covering state politics and the Legislature. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television. He can be reached at krichert@idahoednews.org

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