Reviews data on children in self-care, children between the ages of 5 and 14 who are alone at home after school. The best available national surveys indicate that at least 12% of children from kindergarten through middle school experience self-care on a regular basis, with the percentage much lower among younger children. (SLD)

Explores the situations of "missing" children and discusses sources of information about these children. More than 99% of all missing child cases reported to police in 1996 were successfully resolved, but data suggest that about 150,000 children each year are hurt physically or mentally during the time they are missing. (SLD)

Reviews the basic decisions states must make when implementing State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs and reports on the decisions states participating in this federal program have made, as reflected in the plans they submitted to the Health Care Financing Administration. Sources of information about the program are included.…

Reviews measures of dental health in children and the evidence on child dental health. Although children's dental health has improved over the past two decades, many poor children do not receive necessary dental health services, and reasons for this failure are summarized. (SLD)

Examines the measurement of class size and a related measure, the student-teacher ratio, and considers the variations across states in class size and student-teacher ratios. Student-teacher teacher ratios are consistently lower than average class size because class-size figures do not reflect the use of specialized teachers or those who work in…

Discusses the effects of poverty on children and current public policy toward child poverty, including areas of unmet need and recommendations for policies to meet the needs of poor children. The overall focus is on the potential to develop effective policies for children in poverty. (SLD)

Examines data collected by the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) on the identification and classification of special education students. Analysis suggests that the OSEP count data, by themselves, do not indicate how many children have disabilities or what types of disabilities they have, and the data cannot by used to evaluate…

Available data on homeless families and children are reviewed, focusing on definitions of homelessness and the most common methods used to estimate the size of the homeless population. Trends in the duration of homelessness and the numbers of families at risk of losing housing are discussed. (SLD)

Examines a frequently discussed indicator of child well-being, the high school dropout rate. School-linked services will be successful only to the extent children are in school. First in a feature series ("Child Indicators") that analyzes implications and limitations of key statistical indicators of the well-being of children. (SLD)

Presents an analysis of the ethnic and racial makeup of the childhood population in the United States. Historical trends in the ethnic mix are examined, including projections for the next century. Finally, the paper discusses the geographic distribution of children who are likely to face significant challenges as a result of not speaking English…

The staff of the Center for the Future of Children analyzes policies to make the U.S. health care system more responsive to the needs of children and pregnant women focusing on (1) efficiency; (2) access; and (3) affordability. Recommendations are made in each of these areas. (SLD)

Analyzes annual medical expenditures for childhood (conception through age 18 years). A decline in the relative share of children's medical expenditures means that their health care will become more affordable compared to other groups. The least budget impact will result from expanding insurance coverage for 3- to 12-year-old children. (SLD)

Analyzes implications of the birthrate for teenage mothers, and examines the limitations of key statistical indicators. Evidence suggests that the rate of childbearing among U.S. teens may be increasing after a decade of stability. To deal with this effectively, it may be necessary to enhance life options of teenagers. (SLD)

Reviews statistics on children in foster care. Examines the definition of foster care, the reasons children are placed in foster care, the various living arrangements that constitute foster care, and the rapid growth of the foster care population. (MDM)

Focuses on the immunization status of children aged 19 to 35 months. Recommended immunizations are described and contrasted with the actual status of immunization. In response to unacceptably low levels of immunization among very young children, the government is aiming at 90% immunization by the year 2000. (SLD)