by Erica Zucco, KOB TV
June 27, 2018
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico finds itself at the bottom of another list.
The 2018 Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Report ranks New Mexico 50th for child-wellbeing.
Four factors determine the Kids Count rankings: education, health, economic well-being, and family and community. The non-profit organization NM Voices for Children says changes to the state’s health data played a major role in moving New Mexico from 49th to 50th.
The report also showed that for education, the number of kids who are not in school at a young age, not reading well by fourth grade, not proficient in math by eighth grade, or not graduating from high school on time was worse than the national average.
NM Voices for Children director James Jimenez says to see changes in the rankings, lawmakers must make changes.
“A budget is a reflection of our priorities and the values we have and our children are our most valuable asset,” Jimenez said. “You can’t prove that by these rankings.”
Jimenez says New Mexicans can make a difference at the polls and by asking candidates what they’ll do for kids.
NM Voices for Children says it will be tracking their actions and holding them accountable.