2022 Black Well-being Final w links for Web 11.29.22 - Flipbook - Page 26
BLACK WELL-BEING REPORT 2022
BLACK FUTURE CO-OP FUND
Contextual to Factors Related
to Education
The cost of quality early learning and child care
Brain science aligns with what we already know: investing in quality
child care.47 Despite Washington being one of a few states that offers
early learning from birth to three years old is critical to children’s
12 weeks of paid parental leave, for most families, it isn’t enough to
development.45 In the U.S., parents — a child’s most important
spend the time we need with our children in those critical early years.
teacher — are forced to choose between time with our children and
Washington’s Fair Start for Kids Act is a good beginning to taking
employment income. Child care is so expensive that it can be more
care of families.48 Passed in 2021, it reduces child care co-pays and
cost effective for a parent to quit their job and stay home, especially if
expands eligibility and services for those at 60% of the state median
a child has a disability or needs additional support.
income, which is $3,677 per month (or $44,124 per year) for a family
of two.49 That still leaves many Black families in a financial quandary
The U.S. is one of seven countries in the world without federal paid
as the median household income for Black families in Washington
parental leave. Nationally, only 4% of employers offer subsidized
state is $56,250.50
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Child Care as a Share of Black Median Household Income
Child Care (Per Infant)*
Child Care (Per 4-year-old)*
Costs
$14,554
$11,051
Percentage of Black Median Household
Income ($56,250)**
25.9%
19.6%
*EPI, October 2020. https://www.epi.org/child-care-costs-in-the-united-states/#/WA
**Washington State Budget & Policy Center analysis of 2014-2019 American Community Survey Integrated Public-Use Microdata Series (www.ipums.org)
Public school funding structures benefit the already
resourced
In Washington state, 50,716 Black children were enrolled in K-12
both who lives where and how much money a school district has to
grade levels in public school for the 2021-22 school year. In 2020,
spend. In 2018, wealthier school districts received 7.6% more funding
there were 52,284 Black children ages 5-17 total in our state. The
than high-poverty districts due to inequitable funding structures.54 A
average per child cost for the 2019-20 school year in Washington
recent study shows that students exposed to an increase of at least
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was $17,082. However, this amount does not include additional
10% in school funding each year (K-3) experienced a 2% reduction
funds that are raised and spent by Parent Teacher Associations
in the likelihood of being arrested as an adult.55 Schools with higher
(PTAs), which vary based on the wealth of parents in the district.
poverty levels are also more likely to see teacher turnover.56
Despite racial segregation being illegal, public schools still effectively
Alignment with stated values of equity would mean putting more
offer segregated educational experiences for the majority of Black
resources where they are needed most. When schools lack services,
children. Funding for public schools is tied to property taxes. Those
opportunities, and maintained buildings, it speaks volumes to our
taxes are based on the assessed value of homes in the area. Racist
children about how much they’re valued. This is something parents
practices like redlining and restrictive covenants have impacted
then must work overtime to address at home.
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