D

There is strong consensus in our state and country around the notions of equal opportunity for all children and giving kids a chance of having it better than their parents. Yet we are moving further and further away from these ideals despite widespread belief in them. To course correct, we have to acknowledge the facts and take the bold steps needed together. The reality in California is that most families lack the means and resources to provide their children with the basic building blocks of a productive life in the 21st century. Almost half of California’s children now live in low-income families. With inadequate access to high-quality early learning experiences, rigorous K-12 academics and enriching afterschool and summer programs, children growing up in lower-income families have disproportionately lower rates of high school graduation. Moreover, with limited access to basic health care services, too many of our state’s lower-income kids suffer needlessly from things like unmanaged asthma or untreated tooth decay. Despite strong public will to the contrary, a staggering number of children in our state lack access to the health and education supports they need to have