SC ranks 45th in kids’ ability to succeed

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina ranks better than just five states in the overall wellbeing of its children.

That’s according to a new Kids Count survey released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

South Carolina’s overall ranking slipped two spots from last year’s report, to 45th overall in children’s ability to succeed.

The report ranked the economic well-being of the state’s children at 44th in the country, a drop of nine spots from last year. Sue Williams of the Children’s Trust of South Carolina attributed that indicator to high state unemployment, which at 8 percent last month ranked 14th-highest in the nation.

There were some improvements, including in children’s health. Only 8 percent of the state’s children listed as without health insurance in 2011, compared to 13 percent in 2008.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP