Native kids most likely to face poverty in South Dakota
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A recent report says non-white children in South Dakota are more likely to face poverty and underperform in school compared to their white peers.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation released its "Race for Results" report Oct. 24. The results illustrate achievement gaps and obstacles faced by children of color nationwide.
The report is the second of its kind conducted by the foundation, which focuses on student success on state and national levels.
According to the report, Native American children in South Dakota scored worse in the 10 areas used in the report than any racial subgroup in any state in the country.
"I think we need to sit down with our Native American leaders and communities and ask that question: What do we need to do to work together to impact education and have that opportunity available to all children?" said Carole Cochran, program director for South Dakota Kids Count, a partner organization for the foundation.
The report measures student test scores, the number of students in two-parent homes, children living above 200 percent of the poverty line and graduation rates, among other indicators.
It also showed results for immigrant families. About half of children from immigrant families lived in homes with an income less than 200 percent of the federal poverty line.
Cochran said she hopes the report will spur conversations about student success in the state.
"The future prosperity of South Dakota depends on widely distributed opportunities for all children," she said. "We need to make sure all children, especially children of color, have those opportunities."