Michigan lags behind the rest of the nation in math and reading skills for young kids, according to the newest Kids Count report released this morning.
Michigan ranks 40th in the nation for childhood education. Overall, 71% of Michigan fourth graders aren't proficient in reading, and 71% of eighth graders aren't proficient in math.
On top of that, the report released just this morning by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that more than half of young kids in Michigan aren't in preschool.
While some progress has been made in terms of health, Michigan is lagging behind when it comes to education. Testing shows only about half of eleventh graders were proficient in reading and writing, and less than 30% were proficient in math and science.
Child poverty is on the rise as well.
From 2006 to 2014, child poverty went up in 80 of 83 Michigan counties, increasing 23% statewide.
Here in Mid-Michigan, it's not much better.
Child poverty rose 10% in Ingham County since 2006, and 18% in Jackson County over that 9 year period.
There were some bright spots, with Mid-Michigan counties doing well in terms of overall child well-being.
Livingston County ranked best in the state in child well-being for the second year in a row, Clinton County came in third, Ingham County was in the 39th spot, and Jackson ranked 60th out of 83 Michigan counties.
