More Oklahoma Children Living In Poverty, New Report States

A new report released Tuesday says one in four children in Oklahoma are living in poverty, up from 2008 when the country was in a recession.

The 2015 KIDS COUNT Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation reveals that despite the economic recovery, Oklahoma ranks 39th overall for child well-being.

The report says the number of children living in high poverty neighborhoods increased from 98,000 in 2006-2010 to 131,000 in 2009-2013.

Other areas that worsened since last year include the number of children not attending preschool: 61 percent, and those living in single-parent households: 38 percent.

The report showed significant improvements in seven of eight categories in children's education and health.

It also showed some other bright spots for Oklahoma. Children without health insurance fell to 10 percent in 2013 from 13 percent in 2008. And the number of high school students not graduating on time fell one point to 21 percent - down from 22 percent in 2007-2008.