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The report analyzed 12 indicators representing well-being
milestones from cradle to career and converted them into a scale
ranging from 0 to 1,000. In Illinois, Asian and Pacific Islander
children have the highest index score at 837, followed by white
children at 740. Black children received an index score of 341.
“What it allows us to do is assess how kids and young people of
different races and ethnicities are faring both nationally and
at the state level,” said Leslie Boissiere, vice president of
External Affairs with the foundation.
Boissiere said reading and math scores tumbled during the
pandemic, especially for minority students, and the effects are
still being felt.
“There are some major disparities in Illinois, particularly
around math and reading scores,” Boissiere said. “Only one out
of three fourth graders, both national and in Illinois, are
reading proficiently.”
The report shows that poverty levels improved between 2007–2011
and 2017–2021, but too many families still struggle to make ends
meet. More than half of Black (58%), American Indian or Alaska
Native (57%) and Latino (53%) kids live below the federal
poverty level.
In response to the report, the Annie E. Casey Foundation is
calling for more government investment in child well-being,
particularly through tax credits and cash payments that have
been proven to improve the lives of young people.
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