Our country's children fall into one of three groups: 1) kids, 2) the other kids, and 3) those kids.

The word "kids" typically brings to mind familiar children—sons, daughters, other family members, friends' children, neighbors, or other young people you know or notice for good reasons. Maybe they're bright, talented, or involved in worthwhile activities. Whatever the reason, these youngsters populate the paradigm of Group 1 that most people possess.

Turn the dial to the other extreme and Group 3 appears—children in trouble, committing crimes, fighting until someone is seriously injured, or skipping school. Alcohol and drug problems. Sex and vandalism. Our society notices them. They scare a lot of folks. Group 3 is easy to picture; although when people actually catch a glimpse of this group they quickly look away.

But what about Group 2: the other kids? The kids no one knows well. The kids no one notices. The kids no one bothers to picture. Somewhere between Groups 1 and 3 stand ...