The picture is not absolute, but on most of the indicators the states along the Canadian border and just below have far fewer children at risk than other states. According to the data book, the relative well-being of children in the states has not changed much in the last decade. The comparisons are about where they were in 1984.

Kids Count, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation here, tracks the status of children state by state and nationally. The foundation also sponsors state-level data gathering that goes into more detail than the national report.

This year's account says:

• Between 1985-94, no state recorded a decrease in thepercentage of low-weight births; in fact, there was an overall increase of 7 percent in these births, which research shows lead to health and education problems later.
• The infant mortality rate declined in all states, but 25 countries still have lower rates than does the United States.
• The child death rate also has fallen, primarily because of greater safety precautions for children riding in cars; it decreased in 43 states but increased in six states.
• The rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide and suicide is up; a decline in deaths due to accidents was offset by a doubling of death due to homicides.
• Over a decade the teen birth rate increased, but in the last few years there has been a decline among white and African Americans (but not among Hispanics); a few states experienced an increase of over 50 percent in the rate (Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Nevada and Rhode Island).
• The juvenile violent crime arrest rate increased in every state except Vermont and Montana and more than doubled in 21 states.
• The school dropout rate among teenagers declined 2 percent (to 9 percent) during the decade, but it actually increased in eight states and stayed the same in eight other states.
• More teens are attending school, but among those who are out of school fewer found jobs.
• Over the decade, the poverty rate of children increased, then declined slightly to a 1995 level of 20.2 percent. In 10 states and the District of Columbia, more than one-fourth of the children live in poverty.
• Every state except Utah registered an increase in the percent of families with children headed by a single parent; the total rate increased between 1985 and 1994 from 22 percent to 26 percent.

The Kids Count Data Book acknowledges that no quick-fixes exist to address all of the problems surrounding more than seven million at-risk children in the country. However, schools are central to improving their lives, it says. Furthermore, the report discusses five ideas that have been shown to help students succeed in school and to help their overall development, including:

• pre-school experiences that prepare children to learn;
• schools that are small enough to engage every child;
• high standards in curriculum instruction, and assessment;
• strong, meaningful family participation;
• making education part of a larger community commitment to healthy youth and family development.

For information on obtaining a copy of the report, contact the Annie E. Casey Foundation at 701 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21202; 410-547-6600; www.aecf.org