Florida remains in bottom half of child wellbeing in annual databook
Special report on the state of our kids by guest contributor Florida Phoenix
“Florida is making some progress towards improving the state’s child well-being, but the level of investment is not moving the needle in helping Florida families with affordability in housing, access to childcare, and access to medical care, namely Medicaid.”
By Jay Waagmeester
Florida’s overall state of child wellbeing did not improve in this year’s Kids Count Data Profile, although some segments including graduation rates and teen birth did see gains.
Florida jumped four spots in education ranking compared to last year’s report, up to 15th, working toward the fifth place ranking the state held two years ago. Florida’s family and community category improved, too, jumping one spot, to 29th.
The state’s children’s health category dropped three places, to 35th.
The data compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation reflect children’s ability to read, the number who are overweight, and parental financial stability, among other factors like teen pregnancy and deaths. Much of Florida’s data in the 2026 report are from 2024.
“Florida is making some progress towards improving the state’s child well-being, but the level of investment is not moving the needle in helping Florida families with affordability in housing, access to childcare, and access to medical care, namely Medicaid,” Norín Dollard, Kids Count director at Florida Policy Institute, said in a news release.
According to the 2026 report, fewer children than in 2025 are giving birth or living in poverty.
The 2026 report shows one less teen death, 28, than in the 2025 report, 29.
The rate of children whose parents lack secure employment improved, 25% in the 2026 report. It was 26% in the 2025 report.
One percent more, 39%, of children live in a household with a high housing cost burden compared to last year’s report. It is 3% higher than 2019 data.
The education category overall improvement since last year’s report reflects an improved graduation rate, but all three related categories — reading and math proficiency and three-and-four-year-olds not in school, stayed the same.
The report shows a decrease in reading and math scores, putting Florida 19th nationwide in education.
Two years ago, the report ranked Florida as fifth in education in the United States. Now, it is ranked 15th. New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are the top three education states, according to the report.
Florida maintained its rank at 43rd for economic wellbeing. New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Wyoming are the top three in this category.
“Behind every number in this report is a child who is either hungry or fed, housed or homeless, progressing academically or falling behind. No state is consistently getting this right,” Lisa M. Lawson, president and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said. “The Data Book challenges us to follow the evidence and do what delivers results.”
Jay Waagmeester covers education for the Florida Phoenix. He previously worked for the Iowa Capital Dispatch and the Iowa State Daily. He grew up in Iowa and is a graduate of Iowa State University.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. This story is republished with their permission. To support Florida Phoenix, click here:
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Going to get worse if FL voters vote for the cut in proerty taxes. I live in Lee County, which is heavily Republican, perhaps even MAGA. I'm on a local blog and the property tax cut is a frequent topic of discussion. My informal survey indicates that about two out of three of my fellow bloggers are in favor of the tax cut. I and a few others try to caution those favoring the cut to take their time and carefully read it and learn what it may or may not affect. They need to realize that the cost of picking up the tab for lost services may quickly negate any cost savings. They are also, to put it frankly, almost callous about the impact on education. Trash pick up may be one of the first services to go, and the pro-tax-cut voters will be in for severe sticker shock when they try to arrange for private trash removal - at least $100 a month for weekly pick-up. That's $1200 a year, which is probably more than any savings they might reslize if the bill is passed. I remind them that DeSantis was the governor who didn't want them wear masks or get Covid shots, which I understand may have cost the lives of thousands of Floridians. Why would a man who was worried more about the economy than your life care about saving you money now? What's he up to? What's in it for him? Got to be something. I wonder if a state income tax can be in the offing. They, by themselves, are rudderless. They rely on demigogues like Trump and DeSantis to tell them what to do. Sad.
It appears that Florida seeks to be at the bottom of almost everything. Perhaps that provides a better slab for building up?