By Trimmel Gomes, Florida News Connection
Florida ranks 35th in child well-being, with notable declines in education and ongoing struggles with housing affordability, according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The report highlights alarming trends, finding that 67% of fourth graders are not proficient in reading and 38% of families spend over 30% of their income on housing.
Related: 4 creative ways to engage children in STEM over the summer: Tips to foster curiosity and problem-solving at home.
Norin Dollard, a senior policy analyst and KIDS COUNT director at the Florida Policy Institute, said the report highlights the need for wide-ranging action.
"There's not just one piece of policy, administrative change, or legislative change that's going to address the fact that so many families are impoverished," said Dollard, "or that our health care looks the way that it does. And that our education is not improving."
The state's education ranking plummeted from fifth to 19th since 2024, with 79% of eighth graders failing math benchmarks.
Meanwhile, proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and a lack of new state investments threaten to worsen health outcomes, where 8% of children remain uninsured.
Leslie Boissiere, vice president of external affairs for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, noted that racial disparities persist nationwide, mirroring the divide in Florida.
"The child well-being outcomes on 15 out of 16 indicators for Native kids are lower than the national average," said Boissiere. "If you look at Black kids, it's eight out of 16 indicators, where Black kids' outcomes are lower than the national average."
Despite progress in reducing teen births and single-parent households, advocates say Florida's stagnant high school diploma rates and deepening inequities underscore the need for targeted investments.
What Florida parents can do in response to child well-being concerns
| Challenge Identified |
How Parents Can Take Action |
| Low Reading Proficiency (67% of 4th Graders) |
- Read together daily for 20+ minutes
- Use free public library resources and summer reading programs
- Ask teachers for literacy support strategies |
| Poor Math Performance (79% of 8th Graders) |
- Use educational apps like Khan Academy
- Attend math nights or workshops at schools
- Advocate for more school tutoring programs |
| High Housing Cost Burden (38% of Families) |
- Look into local housing assistance programs
- Contact 2-1-1 for rental support or budgeting help
- Join local parent advocacy groups focused on affordability |
| Child Health Concerns (8% Uninsured) |
- Enroll in Florida KidCare or Medicaid if eligible
- Schedule annual checkups and dental visits
- Attend school health fairs and clinics |
| Education System Decline (Ranked 19th) |
- Attend school board meetings
- Communicate regularly with teachers and principals
- Vote in local and state elections for pro-education candidates |
| Overall Well-Being |
- Seek out community resources via nonprofits, churches, and local agencies
- Connect with other parents for support and advocacy |
