The 2024 Texas Kids Count Data Book, released by the nonprofit every Texan on Thursday, provides a thorough look at the well-being of children across Texas. This data-driven initiative tracks key indicators such as economic stability, health, education, and community support to highlight areas where strategic investments can significantly improve children’s lives.The 2024 Texas Kids Count Data Book follows up on a similar survey published in June by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which compares data focused on children from each of the 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. According to the June study, Texas ranked 43rd in child well-being indicators, which include economic security, health, and education.
One of the primary factors driving these rankings is the state’s poverty rate, which stands at 18%, exceeding the national average. This high poverty rate is among several areas where Texas trails behind the nation. The child poverty rate has exceeded the national average at least every year since 2010. according to the Every Texan study, about 2.9 million Texas children live in households that are above the poverty line but earn below what would be considered a living wage.
Children’s advocates discussed the survey’s results during a Thursday discussion, proposing solutions to address these issues. The event, co-hosted by Every Texan and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.,celebrated the release of the 2024 Kids Count Data Book and featured a panel discussion on how these new data can inform policy and improve the well-being of Texas children.
For more data, you can visit the following links:
- Every Texan Kids Count
- 2024 Kids Count Data Book Summit
- 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book by the annie E.Casey Foundation
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Families focused on putting food on the table often put health care on the backburner, Mendoza said, until there is an emergency. Legislation allowing for parents to apply for enrollment in SNAP and Medicaid simultaneously would provide some relief.
Every Texan’s study also found that Texas children are facing significant mental health challenges, with variation depending on race and ethnicity. In 2023, more than a quarter of Black and Latino students aged 14 to 18 reported experiencing “debilitating anxiety, depression, or stress” affecting thier daily lives. About 35% of white students the same age reported similar feelings.
Broad access to online information and internet technologies might be having an impact, said Jessica Knudsen, CEO and president of the Clarity child Guidance Center. The proximity to technology throughout the day also makes it more arduous for them to create boundaries with it.
“Kids have a 24/7 fire hose of not just information, but social media [and] access for bullying,” she said. “So it’s very hard for them to disconnect, and so that’s probably why we’re seeing that significant increase in anxiety.”
Spending per capita under the Available School Fund in Texas schools also declined from the 2022-23 to 2023-24 academic year by more than $200, according to texas Education Agency data, which the Every Texan study says “raises concerns about the state’s capacity to provide high-quality early education among dwindling financial resources.” The fund is one source of revenue for the Foundational School Program, the primary source of state funding for Texas public schools. This rate is influenced by average daily attendance,which has taken a hit.
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Texas Students Face Chronic Absenteeism: The Role of Basic Needs and School Support
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas students have been grappling with a significant issue: chronic absenteeism.Data from the 2022-23 school year reveals that approximately one-in-five students in Texas were chronically absent, meaning they missed at least 10% of all school days. This concerning trend underscores the need for comprehensive support systems within schools to ensure students can attend regularly.
Jessica Weaver, the CEO of Communities In Schools of San Antonio, offers a compelling perspective on addressing chronic absenteeism. She emphasizes that helping students access basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter is crucial. Her institution works directly with students who are frequently absent from school in the San Antonio area, providing them with the essential resources they need to attend classes consistently.
Getting a basic education is fundamental for a student’s economic mobility, Weaver added. However, schools require better resources to become a place where students and staff can feel a sense of community and support. This holistic approach is vital for fostering an surroundings where students can thrive academically and emotionally.
“It’s hard right now, right?” Weaver said. “Teachers and public schools are not valued in our language in the way that they need to be valued. It’s hard for kids to be walking into these spaces where the adults haven’t been valued at the level they need to be valued.”
The value of educators and the support they receive cannot be overstated. When students see that their teachers and school staff are valued and supported,it creates a positive and nurturing environment that can significantly improve student attendance and overall well-being.
Key Insights on Chronic Absenteeism in Texas Schools
| Year | Percentage of Chronically Absent Students |
|————|——————————————-|
| 2022-23 | 20% |
Call to Action
To address chronic absenteeism effectively, it is essential to invest in resources that support students’ basic needs and create a supportive school environment. Communities In Schools of San Antonio is one of the organizations working on the ground to make a difference. For more information on how you can contribute or get involved, visit their website.
Conclusion
Chronic absenteeism among Texas students is a pressing issue that requires a multifaceted approach. By addressing basic needs and valuing educators, we can create an environment where students feel supported and motivated to attend school regularly. It is crucial to continue the conversation and take action to ensure that every student has the chance to receive a quality education.
For more insights on chronic absenteeism and educational support in Texas, visit the Texas Tribune.
Disclosure: Clarity Child Guidance Center, Every Texan, and Texans Care for Children have been financial supporters of the Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism.Find a complete list of them here.
Improving Child Well-being in Texas: Insights from the 2024 Kids Count Data Book
The biennial Kids Count Data Book released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation offers a comprehensive look at the well-being of children across the United States. This year’s report, discussed by children’s advocates at a recent event co-hosted by Every Texan and Methodist Healthcare ministries of South Texas, Inc., highlights several areas where Texas lags behind the national average.One crucial factor driving these rankings is the state’s poverty rate,which stands at 18%,exceeding the national average.
Interview with Children’s Advocate on Texas Child Well-being
Editor: Can you start by discussing Texas’s performance compared to the national average according to the 2024 Kids Count Data Book?
Guest: According to the report, Texas has a higher poverty rate than the national average. This high poverty rate is a significant issue among several areas where Texas is lacking. The child poverty rate has been above the national average every year as 2010. Moreover, according to a study by every Texan, approximately 2.9 million Texas children live in households that are above the poverty line but earn below what is considered a living wage.
Editor: What factors contribute to this discrepancy in child well-being indicators such as economic security, health, and education in Texas?
Guest: There are several interconnected factors. Economic security is a major concern, given the high poverty rate. Financial instability affects families’ ability to provide basic needs, including healthcare and educational support.The grim state of economic security tightens the gap between what families need and what they can afford, indirectly affecting health and educational outcomes.
Editor: How do these issues specifically impact children’s access to quality healthcare and education?
Guest: Children in low-income families frequently enough face barriers to accessing quality healthcare due to lack of insurance and affordability of medical services. This reduces their access to preventive care and treatments, impacting their overall health. For education, economic instability can lead to chronic absenteeism and lower academic performance, as families struggle to meet the costs of educational materials and Childcare can be expensive, affecting parental employment and, in turn, income stability.
Editor: Can you highlight some potential policy solutions discussed during the event to improve these child well-being indicators?
Guest: During the discussion, policy solutions such as increasing access to affordable healthcare through Medicaid expansion and investments in early childhood education were proposed. Additionally, advocating for living wage policies and economic stability measures to help families meet their basic needs could significantly improve child well-being indicators.
Action and Policy Impact
Children’s advocates call for continued efforts to improve child well-being in Texas. Following the release of the 2024 Kids Count Data Book, the call for informed policy changes is louder than ever. For more insights on chronic absenteeism and educational support in Texas, visit the Texas Tribune.
Disclosure: Clarity Child Guidance Center, Every Texan, and Texans Care for Children have been financial supporters of the Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
