Progress is measured by the following desired results: children are born healthy, thrive, and are ready for school; children and youth live in stable and supportive families; they practice healthy behaviors and avoid high-risk behaviors; they live in safe and supportive communities and environments; and they achieve in school and make a successful transition to adulthood. The ratings for each of these measures in order of ranking are "commendable," "promising," "mixed," "challenging," and "problematic." Regarding the measure of children being born healthy, thriving, and being ready for school, the rating is "promising," with some progress. In the past year, improvements were made in the percentage of first-graders being promoted and in the percentage of children receiving formal early care and preschool education. Regarding children living in stable and supportive families, the rating is "mixed," with inconsistent progress. There was little change in the past year, but a decline in families' economic security and an increase in the number of child abuse cases. Findings on the practice of healthy behaviors and avoidance of high-risk behaviors were rated "mixed," with inconsistent progress; there were declines in sexually transmitted diseases, but increases in teen death rates and obesity in children. The rating on safe and supportive communities and environments was "problematic," with a long way to go; although fewer juveniles were victims of major crimes in 2004, violent crimes against juveniles increased. School achievement and successful transition to adulthood were rated "mixed," with inconsistent progress. Although trends in these indicators were positive, school performance remained below State and national levels. Appended indicator criteria, data definitions, population data, data sources, and prior years' ratings