Idaho ranked 13th in the nation in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual Kids Count Data Book, which graded each state across 16 metrics. The state scored well in family and community, with low teen birth rates, child poverty, and children in single-parent households.

Education Scores Mixed

In education, 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.

In economic well-being, Idaho ranked 15th, with a lower percentage of children living in poverty and households facing a high burden of housing costs. However, a slightly higher percentage of Idaho teens are not in school and are not working.

In health, Idaho ranked 19th, with lower childhood obesity rates and low birth-weight childbirth rates. However, a higher percentage of Idaho children have no health insurance, and that percentage is rising.

Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.