Report Card Rates Children’s Wellbeing, Including Dental Care, Obesity
The nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization Children Now gave California "D" grades for childhood obesity, family economic security and education, according to the 2005 California Report Card to be released Wednesday, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The state's highest grade, a B-plus, was in infant health.
Children Now estimates about 18% of California children have no dental insurance. The organization gave the state B's and C's for issues including dental care and access, and after-school and early-education programs.
According to the report, 28% of fifth-, seventh- and ninth-graders in the state are overweight, resulting in a D grade for childhood obesity (Anderson/Sheppard, Los Angeles Daily News, 11/29).
The report card is available online. Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the report.