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Texas Ranks 41st in Overall Girl Well-Being, New 2026 State of the Texas Girl Report Reveals
Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Releases Most Current Depiction of Texas Girls’ Well-Being Today With New Report
DALLAS (March 31, 2026) — Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, or GSNETX, has released the results from its 2026 State of the Texas Girl Report to conclude Women’s History Month — and the outcomes uncover troubling trends about the challenges our girls are facing. The report, using the most recent data available from national government reports and public resources, highlights one alarming reality: Texas ranks 41st in overall girl well-being.
This ranking encompasses measures of girls' well-being in the state across physical, academic, and social/emotional indicators. Key findings from the report detail harsh realities and troubling trends that demonstrate areas in which Texas girls are falling behind:
● Texas ranks 51st for girls’ overall physical well-being.
● Nearly 3 in 5 teenage girls feel persistently sad or hopeless.
● Texas girls’ proficiency levels in subjects including reading and STEM are extremely low, with less than 1 in 3 Texas girls able to read proficiently.
The report, the first assessment since the pandemic on the well-being of Texas girls, articulates the adverse impacts our screen-focused, isolated, and often sedentary lifestyles have.
“I see firsthand how the struggles outlined in this report directly affect girls and Girl Scouts of all ages,” said Jennifer Bartkowski, CEO of GSNETX. “Though Texas ranking 41st in overall girl well-being is distressing, it is sadly not surprising as the leader of a girl-serving organization in this state.”
The State of the Texas Girl Report, made possible by the generosity of the Texas Women’s Foundation, also articulates the importance of providing girls with spaces of belonging, tailored programs, and trusted mentors to improve their mental and emotional resilience, as well as their health.
“Intentional investments in trusted partners such as Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas allow us to pursue our mission of achieving an equitable society,” said Texas Women’s Foundation CEO Karen Hughes. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support the organization’s important research in honor of Sharon King, a champion of Texas women and girls.”
Though this report brings to light some staggering statistics, partnerships and community engagement are integral to moving the needle for Texas girls.
“At Girl Scouts, we strive to make the world a better place through building girls of courage, confidence, and character, but we can’t do it alone,” said Bartkowski. “We encourage everyone to read the report to get educated on this issue, share with your networks, and think of ways you can help us pave the way for our future female leaders of Texas.”
To view the full 2026 State of the Texas Girl Report, visit gsnetx.org/stateofgirls.
About Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) serves girls and volunteers across 32 counties, helping young leaders discover their strengths and take on new challenges. Whether exploring nature, advocating for their communities, or building lifelong friendships, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds can be unapologetically themselves. In 2018, GSNETX opened the first STEM Center of Excellence in the Girl Scout Movement, transforming the STEM pipeline and elevating girls’ voices in a fast‑growing sector of the U.S. economy. In 2025 and 2026, GSNETX opened the first two Girl Scout DreamLabs in Texas—modern, creative spaces for exploration, collaboration, and community. GSNETX has been honored with the Dallas Business Journal Outstanding Directors Award and the Luminary Award from SMU’s Simmons School. Learn more at gsnetx.org or call 972‑349‑2400.
Media Contacts:
Alex Edwards, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, alex@genuinearticlecomms.com
Raegan Lucido, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, raegan@genuinearticlecomms.com
Kerry O'Malley Gleim, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, kerry@genuinearticlecomms.com
March 31, 2026
