Community Corner
Mass. Best State in U.S. for Children, Report Says
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual "Kids Count" survey found "children have a greater opportunity to thrive and succeed in Massachusetts than in any other state."
Massachusetts is the best state in the country for children, according to a new report.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual "Kids Count" report ranked all 50 states based on factors like financial support, education, and health care.
"Children have a greater opportunity to thrive and succeed in Massachusetts than in any other state," the report said. "Because of our Commonwealth’s long record of making effective investments in the education and health of our children, they lead the nation in educational achievement and are less likely to be without health insurance than children in any other state."
The following statistics were reported for the Bay State:
- 99 percent of children have access to health insurance
- A nation-leading 47 percent of our fourth graders are "proficient" readers
- One in seven children live in poverty, compared to the national average of one in five
"Over one-third of (Massachusetts) children live in households that struggle to afford housing," the report found. "Dismantling the barriers to success that are holding back too many of our children will not be easy. It requires improving ... schools and the array of supports our kids need to be ready to thrive in school ... (Massachusetts) can also pursue economic policies that help low-income families earn decent wages."
Here's the "Kids Count" rankings for all New England states:
- 1. Massachusetts
- 2. Vermont
- 4. New Hampshire
- 7. Connecticut
- 14. Maine
- 26. Rhode Island
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