2004 Kids Count Data Book Released

Posted by on June 4, 2004

[posted from Public Education Network newsblast]

2004 KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK RELEASED

The 15th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book reports that national trends in child well-being are moving in a positive direction. Nonetheless, there are enormous differences among the states in many critical indicators. Although the child poverty rate declined in nearly every state between 1996 and 2001 (a period of economic expansion), the child poverty rate in America is among the highest in the developed world. Additionally, the Data Book highlights the fact that nearly one in six young adults, ages 18 to 24, are not working, have no degree beyond high school, and are not enrolled in school. The number of “disconnected” young adults increased by 19 percent since 2000, reflecting the difficulty many young folks are experiencing in the current tight labor market. This year’s essay, “Moving Youth From Risk to Opportunity,” explores how these disconnected youth face a particularly tough transition to successful adulthood and presents examples of public and private initiatives around the country that reflect more effective investments in our most at-risk young adults.

http://www.aecf.org/kidscount/databook/