The National Education Goals Report

Goal 1: Ready to Learn

Exhibit 1 Children's Health Index Percentage ¹ of infants born in the United States with 1 or more health risks ²
	The United States was successful in reducing the proportion of infants born with one or more health risks between 1990 and 1995, from 37% to 34%. This reduction represents a difference of at least 61, 900 children who were born with a healthier start in life.
¹ Percentages are based on the number of births used to calculate the health index, not the actual number of births. See technical notes in Appendix B. ² Risks are late (in third trimester) or no prenatal care, low maternal weight gain (less than 21 pounds), mother smoked during pregnancy, or mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. * Data for the Children's Health Index will be collected annually through the year 2000.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics and Westat
This exhibit updates information presented in the 1996 Goals Report.

Table 1 Disparities (in percentage points) between White and minority infants born in the United States with 1 or more health risks				The United States was also successful in reducing disparities between White and minority infants born with one or more health risks. For example, in 1990, the gap between Black and White infants born with one or more health risks was 9 percentage points. In 1995, this disparity had decreased to 6 percentage points.
	1990	1995	Change
American Indian/ Alaskan Native Black	14 9	13 6	-1 -3
This table updates information presented in the 1996 Goals Report

Exhibit 2 Immunizations Percentage of 2-year-olds¹ fully immunized against preventable childhood diseases ²
	Seventy-Five percent of all 2-year-olds were fully immunized against preventable childhood diseases in 1994. By 1996, the proportion had increased to 78%.
¹ Children 19 to 35 months of age. ² Four doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, three doses of polio vaccine, and one dose of measles or measles/mumps/rubella vaccine. * Although data on immunizations were collected prior to 1994, the data collection method changed substantially for the 1994 data collection. Therefore, 1994 is established as the baseline year for immunizations. These data will be collected annually through the year 2000.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Abt Associates
This exhibit updates information presented in the 1996 Goals Report.

Exhibit 3 Family-Child Reading and Storytelling Percentage of 3- to 5-year-olds¹ whose parents² read to them or tell them stories regularly³
	Only two-thirds of preschoolers were read to or told stories regularly in 1993. By 1996, the proportion had increased to 72%.
¹ Excluding those enrolled in kindergarten. ² Parent or another family member. ³ Response of "read to every day" or "told a story three or more times a week." * Although data on family-child reading and storytelling were collected in 1991, the wording of the reading item changed substantially between the 1991 survey and the 1993 survey. Therefore, 1993 is established as the baseline year for family-child reading and storytelling. These data will be collected again in 1999.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics and Westat
This exhibit repeats information presented in the 1996 Goals Report.

Exhibit 4 Preschool Participation Disparity (in percentage points) in preschool¹ participation rates between 3- to 5-year-olds² from high-income³ families and 3- to 5-year-olds from low-income⁴ families
	In 1991, 45% of 3- to 5-year-olds from low-income families were enrolled in preschool programs, compared to 73% of those from high-income families. The 28-percentage-point difference in participation rates had not improved by 1996.
¹ Includes nursery schools, prekindergarten programs, preschools, day care centers, and Head Start. ² Excluding those enrolled in kindergarten. ³ High income is defined as family income of $50,000 or more. ⁴ Low income is defined as family income of $10,000 or less. ^ns Interpret with caution. Change from the baseline was not statistically significant. * Data on preschool participation will be collected again in 1999.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics and Westat
This exhibit repeats information presented in the 1996 Goals Report.