N.C. kids' test scores up, but more live in poverty

Children in North Carolina have made some strides in academic competence and smoking prevention, while conditions have worsened for youngsters who don't have medical insurance, live in poverty and drink alcohol, a child advocacy group reports.

Those findings were part of a barometer issued Thursday by Action for Children North Carolina, showing how well children in North Carolina have fared since the last report two years ago.

HOW CHILDREN ARE DOING BETTER

* Eight of 10 third-graders passed end-of-grade tests in reading and math.

* Most teenagers report being active members of the communities, and parents are working to encourage good habits such as reading, doing homework and volunteering in the community.

* Cigarette use was down by 10 percent.

* Most children, 85 percent, are healthy.

* Fewer children reported feeling sad or hopeless, and fewer still considered suicide.

HOW CHILDREN ARE DOING WORSE

* Thirty-eight percent of high school students do not make it to graduation. North Carolina also has a high rate of suspensions, which can prompt children to drop out. Adults who have not completed high school earn less, have fewer job opportunities and are more likely to have run-ins with the law.

* The number of youth reported for committing crimes each year has stayed relatively level since 2000.

* Twenty-two percent of children live in poverty, up 10 percent from 2001.

* Alcohol use was up more than 10 percent.

* Seventeen percent are overweight, up from 13 percent in 2001.