Kavitha Cardoza
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One of the biggest myths? That children don't kill themselves. It's just not true. Children as young as 5 take their own lives every year.
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An estimated 20 percent of children show signs or symptoms of a mental health problem. It's a destructive force in schools, but most educators don't have the training or resources to help.
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Almost 700 children under age 12 were killed or injured in gun violence last year. An afterschool program works with young boys who live in some of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods in D.C.
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There are two million children of U.S. military servicemen and women. And by many accounts the military has long done a good job of helping with their education, especially in preschool.
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Nearly 2 million children have parents currently serving in the military, yet their everyday lives are mostly invisible to the rest of us. Member station WAMU explores the challenges they face.
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Adults who can't read, write or speak English well affect all of society, in a variety of ways. They contribute less to the economy, cost communities more for government benefits and health services, and are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system.
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A typical adult education program can take years for those who dropped out of high school. But a model that started in Washington state shortens that time and uses a combination of team teaching, internships and extra support to boost student skills and get them into the workforce.
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The wait to gain entry to adult English-language classes can be long. Once you're in, balancing class with family and job obligations can be a challenge. But many immigrants are determined. Ana Perez says she tries to never miss a class: "A day of studying is sacred for me."
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The number of overweight and obese children is rising. Many of those kids struggle to manage medical conditions at school, but they also face practical challenges, like frequent bathroom breaks and difficulty moving between classes. Obesity can also take a toll on kids' emotional health — and their test scores.
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Washington, D.C., has the highest rate of HIV infection in the nation. A key initiative in the battle to contain the epidemic is encouraging people to get tested. From the grocery store to the nightclub, community health workers are pushing the conversation with on-the-spot test results.