Group: California kids falling behind in health, education
An Oakland-based youth-advocacy group on Thursday issued its annual assessment of children's health and education in the state, delivering generally low marks and urging leaders to boost funding and take other measures to dramatically improve those areas.
In its 2008 California Report Card, Children Now concluded the well-being of youth statewide is generally poor and needs to be a top priority even in the face of the current budget crisis.
"Far too many kids are falling behind and don't have access to the support necessary to have a chance to succeed," said Ted Lempert, group president.
Mary Lou Goeke of United Way of Santa Cruz County praised the report: "What I really like about this ... [is that] it comes out every year and it really does say, 'What do we need to work on?'"
The report shows Santa Cruz County's elementary students fell below the average in meeting state targets for English and math.
"We need to do a much better job of helping English-language learners," said Susan True of First 5 Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz fared better in earlier education, ranked ninth out of 58 counties with 52 percent of children ages 3 to 4 enrolled in preschool. And at the other end, 52 percent of Santa Cruz County high school students were eligible to attend one of California's public universities, 17 percent higher than the state average.
Santa Cruz was second out of 58 counties in providing health insurance; 98 percent of children to age 18 have coverage.
However, Goeke saw the report, "definitely [as] a mixed bag." For example, despite good insurance coverage and pre-natal care, 72 percent of children in Santa Cruz County never exercise, the report stated.
The Report Card assigned letter grades to health and educational factors affecting children. For example, health insurance notched a C, K-12 education earned a C- and obesity received a D+.
The report found fewer than half of the state's families can afford
the basics of housing, child care, food, health insurance and transportation.
It also states just 65 percent of students graduate from high school
on time, and one in three is overweight or obese.
"There has been a lot more focus" on tackling childhood obesity, Lempert said. "But the crisis is so severe."
Complicating matters, the state's budget deficit, estimated at $10 billion to $14 billion, could dampen long-term improvements, he said: "No question that the budget shortfall will delay comprehensive changes."
He said a proposed statewide initiative seeks to ensure all California children have access to health insurance. Children Now also supports a proposed $9 billion bond measure to fund projects at school districts, community colleges and other institutions.
To read Children Now's 2008 California Report Card, visit www.childrennow.org.
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