Yet state drops in education numbers

South Dakota continues to rank in the middle of the pack for children’s well-being, according to the 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a 50-state report of recent data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how kids are faring in post-pandemic America.

Notably, South Dakota’s lowest score was in the education domain, where fourth-grade reading proficiency decreased between 2019 and 2022. In the most recent year of data, only one-third of fourth grade students scored at or above proficient in reading. While not a perfect measure, this shift marks a need for ongoing attention to education outcomes.

High-quality preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds help set the stage for future skill development, well-being and learning, particularly for those from low-income households. These programs play an important role in preparing children for success and lead to higher levels of educational attainment, career advancement and earnings. Although Head Start and the expansion of state-funded programs since the 1990s have greatly increased access to preschool and kindergarten, many kids — especially 3-year-olds and children living in low-income families — continue to be left out, exacerbating socioeconomic differences in educational achievement.

Children who reach fourth grade without being able to read proficiently are more likely to struggle academically and eventually drop out of school. Low reading proficiency also can reduce earning potential and chances for career success as adults. Although there have been improvements since the early 1990s, progress has been slow on literacy gains, and racial and income disparities remain. Unfortunately, the pandemic has erased progress made in reading proficiency levels. The study showed that only 32% of the state’s fourth graders show at or above proficiency in reading in 2022 which is equal to the national average. Sixty-eight percent of the state’s fourth graders are below proficient in reading. That is an improvement over 2019 when just 64% of those in fourth grade were proficient. Looking deeper into the reading scores, 65% of fourth graders were at or above a basic, or grade-level reading achievement, while 35% were below a basic level of reading.

How does this most recent reading data compare with other years? The percentage of fourth graders being at least proficient or higher in reading has not been this low since 2013 when it was also 32%. The 35% of fourth graders that were below basic in reading skills appear to be the highest amount in that category this century.

As technology continues to transform the economy, the demand grows for a workforce with aligned math and science skills and training that can keep pace with technological advancement. Basic math skills and numerical literacy help with everyday tasks and personal financial management and improve employability. Ensuring kids have early and ongoing access to high-quality math education is critical for their success in school and life. The study shows that South Dakota’s Eighth graders are struggling to learn math with just 68% showing proficiency in the subject in 2022. That is an improvement over 2019’s figures when only 61% were proficient in math.

Another key indicator for child well-being this year is how many children lack health insurance. The most recent data from 2022 show fewer children lacked health insurance compared to the year before. However, the health insurance landscape has since shifted dramatically, with thousands of South Dakota children losing Medicaid or CHIP coverage beginning in 2023 when the continuous enrollment provision ended. Children’s Medicaid and CHIP enrollment in South Dakota declined 28 percent since eligibility redetermination began last year, the largest percentage decrease in enrollment in the nation.

“The worry is that such a dramatic decline in children’s Medicaid and CHIP enrollment is going to negate the progress made in children’s insurance coverage in 2022,” said Xanna Burg, Director of KIDS COUNT at South Dakota KIDS COUNT. “State leaders should consider how to reach and enroll children eligible for Medicaid who may no longer be enrolled.”
Each year, the KIDS COUNT® Data Book presents national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains — economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors.

Highlights from the study

Additional highlights from the report findings for South Dakota include:
● Economic: The percent of children living below poverty remained the same from 2019 to 2022. About 15 percent of children in South Dakota live in poverty. It is encouraging that the poverty rate did not worsen, but this means the economic situation for many families remains
challenging.
● Education: High school graduation rates remained steady for the most recent year, with 83
percent of students graduating on time in the 2020-21 school year. However, large disparities
exist for students of color. Black, Indigenous, and other youth of color are less likely to graduate on time because of generations of added barriers and unequal access to high-quality education.
● Family & Community: The teen birth rate remains low at 17 births per 1,000, down from 33 per 1,000 a decade before. Teens are at a higher risk of having a preterm or low birth weight baby and are more likely to have limited education and economic resources.

South Dakota should continue to invest in children and families to ensure all children have what they need to thrive. Investment in child care and early education supports a family’s economic well-being and access to early learning opportunities. Additionally, to get kids back on track academically, we must make sure they arrive at the classroom ready to learn by ensuring access to low- or no-cost meals, a reliable internet connection, and a safe home environment.

---