Public News Service, Clay County Free Press – A new report shows West Virginia has improved the well-being of its children but the Mountain State still ranks the in the bottom tier of states for measures such as child poverty, education and health.
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The findings come from the 2025 Kids Count Data Book released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation on Monday. According to data in the report, more than 70% of West Virginia children ages 3 and 4 are not enrolled in preschool, the second-highest rate of absence in the country. It showed 9% of West Virginia teens ages 16-19 are not attending school nor working.
Sean O’Leary, senior policy analyst for the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, said it all links back to COVID-19.
