Public opinion polls consistently show a strong, bi-partisan consensus on the need to invest in the nation's kids. Yet even as Americans demand a greater focus on children, public investments are shifting away from them. In California, this is leading to children who are increasingly unhealthy yet lack health insurance, failing in school or unable to enroll in preschool, and living in families that lack the most basic supports to be safe and secure. Children Now's goal is to bridge this gap between public will and public policies to ensure that children are the top public priority. The 2005 "California Report Card" provides an assessment of the current status of California's children. In this report, letter grades, A through F, are assigned to each children's policy area (Health; Family Economic Security; and Education) and reflect how well the state is meeting their needs. These grades are based on the most recent data available, including the 2005 "California County Data Book," Children Now's companion research document, and Children Now's policy expertise. This report explores the issues in greater detail and aims to assist in moving forward the proposed agenda that will assure a healthy and rewarding future for the nation's children. (Contains 96 endnotes.) [Support for the work reflected in this report was also provided by: The Clorox Company Foundation; and The Friedman Family Foundation.]