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Arizona has slipped a spot in the latest Kids Count Data Book rankings on the well-being of children, dropping from 46th to 47th in the nation. Children's Action Alliance president Dana Naimark says she is most concerned about the fact that 67-percent of state kids are not enrolled in pre-school, ranking Arizona second to last.

“When kids don’t have a quality preschool experience, they tend to start kindergarten behind and it’s very hard to catch up,” Naimark said. “Being so low in preschool participation makes it very hard to achieve our third grade reading goals, our graduation rate goals, and for having a qualified top-level work force.”

Overall, the Kids Count rankings, from the Annie E. Casey Foundation show Arizona improving on six indicators, dropping on seven and remaining the same on three.