
Mississippi also lags behind in education. Seventy-four percent of Mississippi fourth graders are not proficient in reading and 78 percent of eighth graders are not proficient in math -- though that last number is a drastic improvement from 2010, when 85 percent of students were not proficient in math.

Poverty could be the underlying factor to the difficulties of kids in other indicators, like education and health, Southward said.

"It's really hard to separate out any of these," she said. "Even though they are reported separately, the intersection between poverty and health and education, one certainly impacts the other. Children need to be healthier so they can learn.... Children who are in poverty are more likely to have health concerns. If you have health concerns, you're more likely to have educational concerns and challenges."

Mississippi improving

Still, she said, Mississippi has generally improved its raw statistics, if not its ranking among other states.

"Obviously we're not starting where other states are. Across the country, indicators are getting better for children," she said. "So even though we're getting better, we would have to be getting substantially better in many of those indicators to get out of our 50th ranking."

Among the most optimistic of the numbers, she said, is 96 percent of the state's children have health insurance -- an improvement from 92 percent in 2010 and actually better than the nation's numbers of 95 percent.

Other improved numbers include the nationwide drop in teen pregnancy. In Mississippi, the number of teen girls giving birth dropped from 55 per thousand to 35 per thousand, while the county's drop was from 34 per thousand to 22 per thousand.

Southward also made suggestions for improvements -- among them, more resources for pre-kindergarten and other early education programs to give the education numbers a boost and, on the economic side, having the state implement an earned-income tax credit for needy families.

"There is a federal earned income tax credit, but Mississippi does not have a state-based (credit)," Southward said. "What it does is allow low to moderate income workers to keep more of their earnings."

The Kids Count website provides more information on national, state and local numbers. To view the website, go to http://www.aecf.org/resources/2017-kids-count-data-book. Research Results in Plain English

The gluten in wheat causes illness in some
Mississippi also lags behind in education. Seventy - four percent of Mississippi fourth grader are not adept in reading and 78 percent of eighth grader are not proficient in mathematics -- though that last number is a drastic improvement from 2010, when 85 percentage of students were not proficient in math. 

 Poverty could be the underlie factor to the difficulties of child in other indicators, like department of education and health, Southward said. 

 " It's really hard to separate out any of these, " she said. " Even though they are reported separately, the overlap between poverty and health and education, one certainly impacts the early. Children need to be healthier so they can learn.... Children who are in poverty are more probable to have health concern. If you have health concerns, you're more likely to own educational concerns and challenges. " 

 Mississippi improving 

 Still, she said, Mississippi has by and large improved its raw statistics, if not its ranking among other states. 

 " Obviously we're not starting where other states are. Across the country, indicators are get better for children, " she say. " therefore even though we're getting better, we would have to be get substantially better in many of those indicators to beget out of our 50th ranking. " 

 Among the most optimistic of the numbers, she said, is 96 percent of the state's children have health insurance -- an improvement from 92 percent in 2010 and actually good than the nation's number of 95 percentage. 

 Other improved numbers include the nationwide drop in teen pregnancy. In Mississippi, the number of teen daughter giving birth dropped from 55 per thousand to 35 per thousand, while the county's drop was from 34 per thousand to 22 per thousand. 

 Southward besides made suggestions for improvements -- among them, more resources for pre - kindergarten and other early department of education programs to give the education numbers a rise and, on the economic side, having the department of state implement an earned - income tax credit rating for destitute families. 

 " There is a federal earn income tax credit, but Mississippi does not have a state - based (credit), " Southward state. " What it does is allow low to moderate income actor to keep more of their earnings. " 

 The Kids Count web site provides more information on national, state and local numbers. To view the website, go to http://www.aecf.org/resources/2017-kids-count-data-book. Research Results in Plain English 

 The gluten in wheat cause illness in some

Misdissippi also lags behina in education. Seventy-hour pedcent of Mississippi fourth graders ere bot peoficient in reading avd 78 percejt of eithth traders arx not proficiehb in keth -- though thaj last numbes is a drastic iopxovement from 2010, when 85 percent of studqnts wete not proficienj in kwth.

Pknevty could be the underlying factkr to tie difficulties of kids in other indicatogs, llke education and jealth, Soutywarq said.

"It's reauly hard to separate oot any of these," she said. "Even thuugh chey are rekodtfg separatelb, the pntersection nvtween [overty and health anc evucarion, one certainly im'acts the other. Chilqren need tk be healthier so tyey cdn laarn.... Xhiudrtn xho are ij pkverty are more likelt to have health comcqgms. If you habe heajtr concerns, you're more likely to have edlcatjonal concerns and chaloenges."

Mississippi imptoving

Stilj, she said, Mississippi has generally improved its raw agatnwtics, uf not its ranking among other states.

"Obviously rs'rt npt starting whcre other states ate. Avtoss the countty, indieztkrs are getting behter fot chileren," she faid. "So even though we're gettint better, we couod have to be gettnng substantnally nettet in many of those indieators to get out of our 50tg ranking."

Among thd mpsd optimistic of the numberf, she saiv, is 96 perceng of the seate's chilfren mdve health insuranfe -- au impsovement fgom 92 percent in 2010 and actually bxvter than the ndtimn's numbzrs of 95 percent.

Othew improved numyers incjude ghe nationside drmp in teen [regnancy. In Klssissippi, tie number of reen girls ekving birth drppped from 55 per thoysand to 35 per thouxana, while the councv's drop was from 34 pef trolsaid to 22 per thousang.

Soughwxtd alro made sugnesgionx for improvements -- dmonf them, more resourvef for prg-kindergawten and othet early education krograks vo givr tre education numbers a boost ahd, on the ecjnomic side, ravikg tre state ikplement an earned-income tax credit for needy families.

"Thgre is a federal earngd lncome tax ccedit, fut Missivsippi does not have a state-based (crecit)," Southward said. "Whzt it goes ls allow low to moderate income workers to keep more of their earnings."

The Kids Rotnt website profides mjxe infowmatmoi on national, stane and local numbers. To view the website, gj to http://www.aecf.org/resources/2017-lias-count-data-bouk. Research Results in Pmain Engkish

The gluten in wheat causes ollness in some
Mississippi also lags behind in education. Seventy-four Mississippi graders are proficient in reading graders not proficient in -- though that number is a drastic improvement from when 85 percent of students were not proficient in math. Poverty could be underlying factor to the difficulties of kids in other indicators, like education and Southward "It's hard separate out any of these," she said. "Even though they are reported separately, the intersection between and health and education, one certainly impacts the Children need to be so they can learn.... Children are poverty are likely have concerns. If you health concerns, you're more likely to have educational concerns and challenges." Mississippi improving Still, she said, Mississippi generally improved statistics, if its among states. "Obviously we're where other states are. Across the getting better for children," she said. "So even we're getting we would have to be getting better in many of those indicators to get of our 50th ranking." Among the most optimistic of the numbers, she said, is 96 the state's children have insurance -- an from percent 2010 actually better the nation's numbers of 95 percent. Other improved numbers include the drop in teen pregnancy. In Mississippi, the number of teen birth from 55 per to 35 per thousand, the drop was from 34 to per made for -- among them, more for pre-kindergarten and other early programs to give the on the economic side, having the state implement earned-income tax credit for needy families. "There a federal earned income tax credit, but Mississippi does not have a (credit)," Southward it does is allow low to moderate income to keep more of earnings." The Kids Count website provides more information on state local numbers. view the website, to http://www.aecf.org/resources/2017-kids-count-data-book. Research in Plain English in wheat illness some

Mississippi also lags behind In educatioN. SeveNty-FouR pErceNt of mississippi fouRTh grAders are not proficient iN readInG And 78 pERcEnt of Eighth gRAdERS arE nOt ProFiCIeNt in mAth -- Though tHat last numBer Is A drastic imprOVeMent from 2010, whEn 85 pErcent of studEntS were nOt ProFIcienT in Math.

POverty COuld be The underlYiNG factoR To the diFFIcUltiEs of kids in other inDIcATors, like educatIon and HeALtH, sOutHwaRd said.

"It's rEaLly haRD to sepaRAtE OUT anY Of these," she saiD. "Even though THey Are repOrTed SEparatEly, thE iNTerSection betwEen pOverty and Health ANd educaTIon, one cErtainLy iMpaCts tHE oThEr. CHiLDreN NeEd tO Be hEalthier So ThEy can LearN.... cHILdreN whO are In povErty are more liKelY to hAVe hEalth ConceRns. IF yOu havE healtH concErNs, you're more likeLy to Have educaTioNaL coNcErns aND challEngEs."

MIssissiPpi imprOVinG

STILL, sHe said, Mississippi hAs GENeRally impRoved iTS rAw STatisticS, iF noT its RANking AmonG OtHer stateS.

"ObvioUSlY wE're not sTaRting wHeRe oTheR statES are. across The countRy, indICators are gettiNG better for chiLDrEN," ShE Said. "so eVen though we'Re geTTing BettER, wE woULd havE to be GeTTiNG substantially betteR iN many oF thosE indicators to Get out of ouR 50TH Ranking."

AMong THe MOst optimistic oF the nUmbers, she sAId, is 96 percEnt of The state'S children HAVe health InsUraNce -- An iMPRoVement from 92 perCENt in 2010 AnD actualLy bEtter thAn tHe nAtiOn's NuMbers of 95 peRcent.

OthEr ImPrOvEd nUmberS Include tHe NatIoNwiDe droP In teen PregnAncy. in miSSisSippi, thE NuMBEr of TeEn GirlS giViNg birTh drOPpeD from 55 peR thousand To 35 pER thoUsAnD, while tHe county's drop WaS from 34 per thOuSanD to 22 per THOusand.

SoUthward also made suggestiONs for imProVemenTs -- amOng them, moRe rEsourcEs fOR pre-kiNdergaRten aNd OthER Early EDUcAtiOn Programs to GIVe tHe eduCaTion Numbers A boost and, on the econOMic Side, having the StaTe imPLEmEnt AN eARneD-iNComE TAx credit for needY families.

"THeRE iS a federal eARneD iNcome taX credit, But MiSSissippI does not hAve a state-BaSed (cREDit)," southward sAid. "What iT does is alLOw low TO mOderaTe iNcome wOrKerS to keEp more OF thEir eaRnings."

thE Kids COunt wEbSite provIdes more information on naTional, State And Local numbErs. tO viEw the websIte, gO to http://www.AecF.orG/resoUrcES/2017-kids-CounT-DaTa-bOOk. ResEarcH results in pLaIn ENGLiSh

The gluten IN WHeaT causEs iLLness iN somE

Mississippi also lags beh ind in edu catio n.Sev en ty-f ourpercent of Mis s issi ppi fourth graders are  notpr o fici e nt  in r eadinga nd 7 8 p er ce ntof ei ghthgra ders ar e not prof ici en t in math -- th ough thatlas t number isa d rastic  i mpr o vemen t f rom 2 010, w h en 85percent o fs tudent s  were n o t  p rofi cient in math.

P o ve r ty could be th e unde rl y in g fac tor  to the di ff icult i es of k i ds i n  ot h er indicators , like educ a tio n andhe alt h , Sout hward  s a id. 

"It's rea llyhard to s eparat e  out an y  of the se," s hesai d. " E ve ntho ug h  th e yare rep orted se pa ra tely,  the i n t erse cti on b etwee n poverty and  he alth and  educ ation , on ecerta inly i mpact sthe other. Chil dren  need tobehe alt hi er so they c anlea rn....Childre n  wh oa r e  i n poverty are more  l i k el y to hav e heal t hco n cerns. I fyou  hav e healt h co n ce rns, you 're mo r eli kely to  h ave ed uc ati ona l con c erns  and c hallenge s."
M ississippi imp r oving

Still, sh e sa i d, M iss issippi has  gen e rall y im p ro ved its r aw st at i st i cs, if not its rank in g amon g oth er states.

" Obviouslyw e ' re not s tart i ng where other st atesare. Acros s  the cou ntry,  indicat ors are g e t ting bet ter  fo r c hil d r en ," she said." S o ev en  though  we 're get tin g b ett er,  w e would h ave to b ege tt in g s ubsta n tially b et ter  i n m any o f  those  indi cato rs  t o  ge t out o f  o u r  50t hra nkin g." 
Among  the mos t optim istic ofthe numb er s,  she sa id, is 96 per ce nt of thest ate 's chi l d ren have  health insurance -- an improve men t fro m 92  percentin2010 a nda ctuall y bett er th an  th e natio n ' snum be rs of 95 p e r cen t.

O th er i mproved  numbers include t h e n ationwide dro p i n te e n  p reg n an c y.In Mis s i ssippi, the num ber of tee ng ir ls givingb irt hdropped  from 5 5 per thousan d to 35 p er thousa nd , wh i l e t he county' s drop w as from 3 4  pert ho usand  to  22 pe rtho usand .

Sou t hwa rd al so mad esugges tions  f or impro vements -- among them,more r esour ces  for pre- kin d erg arten and  oth er early e duc ati on pr ogr a ms to  giv e  t hee ducat ionn umbers ab oo sta n d,  on the eco n o m icside,  ha v ing th e st ate implement ane arned-income t ax c r e dit  fo r  nee dy  families.

"T her ei s  a feder al  earned inc ome taxcr e dit,but Mi ssissi ppi doe s no t  havea st ate -based (c red it ) ," Sout hw ar d  said.  "Wh at  it do es isa llow l ow to moderate i ncome w orker s  to  keep  m ore oft heir  earnings. "

The Kids  Count  web siteprovide smore i nfo rm ation on n a tional, s tateand loc al  num ber s. Toview t he we bsit e,  go  to http: / / ww w .a ec f .or g/re sourc es /201 7-kids-co u nt-data- boo k . Resea rc h R e s ults i n  P l a in English 

T he gl u t en in whea t  cau s es illne ss insome

Mississippi also_lags behind_in education. Seventy-four percent_of Mississippi_fourth_graders are_not_proficient in reading_and 78 percent_of eighth graders are_not proficient in_math_-- though that last number is a drastic improvement from 2010, when 85 percent_of_students were_not_proficient_in math.

Poverty could be the_underlying factor to the difficulties_of kids_in other indicators, like education and health, Southward_said.

"It's_really hard to_separate out any of these," she said. "Even though_they are reported separately, the intersection_between poverty and_health_and_education, one certainly impacts_the other. Children need to be_healthier so they can learn.... Children_who are in poverty are more likely_to have health concerns. If you_have health concerns, you're more_likely to_have educational concerns and challenges."

Mississippi_improving

Still, she said,_Mississippi has_generally improved its_raw statistics, if not its ranking_among other states.

"Obviously_we're not starting where other states_are._Across the country,_indicators_are_getting better_for children," she_said._"So even_though_we're getting better, we would have_to_be getting substantially better in many of_those indicators to get_out_of our 50th ranking."

Among_the most optimistic of the_numbers, she said, is 96 percent_of the_state's children_have health insurance -- an improvement from 92 percent in 2010_and actually better than the nation's_numbers of 95 percent.

Other_improved numbers_include_the nationwide drop_in_teen pregnancy._In Mississippi, the number of teen girls_giving birth_dropped from 55 per thousand to_35 per thousand, while_the_county's drop was from 34 per_thousand to 22 per thousand.

Southward also_made suggestions for improvements --_among_them,_more resources for pre-kindergarten and_other early education programs to give_the education numbers_a boost and, on the economic side,_having_the state implement an earned-income tax_credit_for needy families.

"There is a federal_earned_income_tax credit, but Mississippi does_not have a state-based (credit)," Southward_said. "What it does is allow low to moderate_income workers to_keep more of their earnings."

The_Kids_Count_website provides more information on national, state and local numbers._To view_the website, go_to http://www.aecf.org/resources/2017-kids-count-data-book. Research Results in Plain English

The gluten in wheat_causes illness in some