COLUMBUS, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Despite maintaining a national ranking of 12th in education, a significant portion of Ohio students are struggling to meet proficiency standards in core subjects, according to the 37th edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Book.

The report, highlights that 68% of Ohio fourth graders are not proficient in reading, and 68% of eighth graders are not proficient in math. These figures represent a concerning trend, with non-proficiency rates increasing by 4% in reading and 6% in math since 2019. However, Ohio continues to outperform the national average, where 70% of fourth graders and 73% of eighth graders fall below proficiency levels in those respective subjects.

The Data Book provides a comprehensive look at child well-being across the state. Ohio currently ranks 27th overall in the nation, with specific rankings as follows:

*   Education: 12th

*   Health: 26th

*   Economic Well-being: 27th

*   Child Well-being: 27th

*   Family and Community: 33rd

“Our current rankings reveal the urgent need for policies that reduce child poverty, improve educational outcomes, and expand health coverage,” said John Stanford, Director of the Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio. “We cannot afford to wait—our children’s futures depend on it.”

In response to these challenges, state leadership has prioritized literacy and academic support. Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, Ohio school districts were required to implement the “science of reading” curriculum. 

Based on decades of research, this approach emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Governor Mike DeWine has championed this initiative as a cornerstone of his administration’s commitment to Ohio’s students.

Furthermore, Governor DeWine recently signed an academic interventions bill into law. This legislation mandates that school districts provide free academic interventions for students who score at a “limited” skill level on state assessments in math or English language arts.

Broader Trends in Child Well-being

The report also highlights mixed progress in other sectors:

*   Graduation Rates: Ohio has seen a positive decline in the percentage of students not graduating on time, improving from 18% in 2018-19 to 12% in 2023-24, outperforming the national rate of 13%.

*   Poverty and Employment: Ohio’s child poverty rate has decreased from 18% in 2019 to 16% in 2024, though 417,000 children still live in poverty. Additionally, 661,000 children are in households lacking secure employment, and 632,000 live in families facing a high housing cost burden.

*   Early Childhood: The state faces challenges in early education, with 59% of children ages 3 and 4 not enrolled in school between 2020 and 2024, an increase from 55% in the 2015-19 period.

As state officials and advocates analyze these findings, the focus remains on leveraging new legislative tools to bridge the gap in student achievement and ensure long-term student success.