Childhood in America

The series by Ron Harris deserves special recognition for its insightful reporting on the conditions of children and youth in the 1990s in our communities.

For too long, the fragile and deteriorating lives of our children have only been seen in a piecemeal fashion by our larger society. As the stories by Harris made clear, the conditions of our children and youth are really issues for the whole community. We adults must find ways to stabilize and protect our young in order to allow them to grow up in a safe and healthful environment.

The California School Boards Assn. is working actively to find new, realistic ways to develop strengthened partnerships and coordination to meet the multiple needs of so many of our children.

MARY A. STANDLEE, President, California School Boards Assn., West Sacramento