An advocacy group's recent "D+" grade for San Benito County on a range of indicators for children's well-being - while it's just one organization's take and its own set of criteria - should be taken seriously and studied for ways that local health, education and municipal leaders can improve areas that have been deemed poor for the area.
Most important among potential readers of this kind of study, it's an alarm bell for irresponsible parents in the community who must be held accountable for their actions, or lack there of.
County received 10 'low' ratings
The "D+" grade given to the county is a reflection of 26 indicators of children's health, safety and readiness to learn, the group's statement reads. Areas on which San Benito received the lowest possible score, and leading to the lowest-possible grade from the group, include: the number of children who report "very good" to "excellent" health; children with health insurance; children within a healthy weight zone; children who live within walking distance of a park or open space area; children with a school nurse; young children who are read to often; the number of eighth graders enrolled in algebra.
Overall, San Benito received 10 ratings of "low" in the indicators, nine of "medium," and six of "high" on the group's spectrum.
Heft list of problems indicated
That's a hefty list of problem areas - though some are irrelevant or purely reflective of this area's demographics, which shows in that six of the nine counties to receive the rating of "D+" include Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties - and should not be discounted as one perception.
We suggest parents consider the potential results when they don't teach their kids the importance of healthy activities - and would recommend tax-credit penalties for parents who can't meet standards of a responsible, healthy society. We also suggest local schools take a hard look at what they can do to improve children's well-being and get their kids - those in organized athletics or not - back in healthy shape.
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