OAKLAND -- California has much room for improvement as it strives to provide for the education, health care and welfare of children, particularly in making sure each child has affordable heath coverage, according to a report released Tuesday.
"The declining status of kids in California is the biggest threat to the health and economy of our state," said Ted Lempert, President of Children Now, a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization. "Californians across the board want to see children doing better, and we need to hold the state's policymakers more accountable this year for making that happen."
The organization rated the state in 27 categories. Overall, the state scored mostly average or below on the 2014 California Children's Report Card, with six Bs, eight Cs and 13 Ds. In each area, Children Now outlined a "Pro-Kid Policy Agenda" aimed at helping the state do better.
California's top grade was a B+ for health insurance, based on an increase in public insurance that has helped offset the decline in employer-based insurance programs. But even in this area, the state could improve.
Although more than 738,0000 uninsured children in California are eligible for public coverage, 78 percent of them are not enrolled, the report shows. Children Now suggests that the state should provide every child with affordable, comprehensive health insurance.
At the other end of the spectrum, California's lowest grade was a D- for educating foster youth. The state's foster youth graduate from high school at less than half the rate of other students, with 45 percent of foster youth graduating, compared to 79 percent of general students.
Children Now recommends that the state work with local school districts to ensure that the new funding system -- which gives more money to those with low-income, English learners and foster youth -- results in a high-quality education for all.
Jessica Mindnich, director of research for Children Now, said she hopes the report card will raise
