June 12, 2012
AB 2537 makes several common-sense changes to existing law. Mandates under existing law have restricted the discretion of school districts to utilize other means of discipline in appropriate circumstances, have resulted in the expulsion and removal of children in cases that do not warrant expulsion, and have also resulted in significant state costs, up to $10 million annually.
Education
Foster Youth Higher Education Preparation and Support Act
March 30, 2012
Requests campuses of the California Community Colleges, California State University, and the University of California to designate a foster youth campus support program coordinator using new or existing resources to provide comprehensive support to all students who are current or former foster youth on public postsecondary educational institution campuses.
Section 48911.2 of the Education Code
March 22, 2012
SB 1235 requires schools with excessive levels of student suspensions (25% of more of their students or of any numerically significant racial or ethnic subgroup) to adopt school-wide evidence-based strategies to not only reduce school suspension and improve school climate, but also increase attendance and academic achievement.
GREAT Teachers and Principals Act
February 27, 2012
The Coalition for Teaching Quality has put forth a set of principles for ESEA reauthorization around preparing and supporting effective educators. Among these principles is a belief that all students are entitled to teachers who are qualified (fully prepared and fully certified), as well as effective; that preparation programs should be held to common, high standards; and that investments should be made in proven methods to recruit, prepare, develop, and retain fully prepared and effective teachers in shortage fields and hard-to-staff schools. S. 1250 undermines these principles.
Student Success Act
February 6, 2012
Rather than continuing to support students with disabilities in achieving a high school diploma and pursuing employment and postsecondary education, the elimination of the 1% regulation virtually encourages schools to expect less from students with disabilities.
Opposition to SB 462
April 25, 2011
SB 462 proposes a voluntary certification process for non-attorney, paid or unpaid special education advocates who want to participate in IEPs or mediations. The bill would require special education local plan areas to provide alternative dispute resolution training, and the Office of Administrative Hearings to administer a test, to persons seeking certification. The bill would require a fee for the training and testing, and would also require advocates to disclose detailed information about their advocacy, areas of expertise, as well as personal relationship with the parent or child.
Nurse Organizations Seek to Overturn Accord Providing California Students with Diabetes with Access to Insulin
November 13, 2008
Sacramento, California — The California Department of Education (CDE) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) will be in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday, November 14, 2008, seeking to preserve their 2007 agreement that permits trained non-medical school personnel to administer insulin to children with diabetes when nurses are not available. The American Nurses Association (ANA) and several other organizations representing nurses have filed a petition seeking to prevent such care by invalidating a key provision of the CDE and ADA accord.
Children With Diabetes Win Assurance of Legally-Required Services at School
August 8, 2007
Oakland, California — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell joined representatives of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) today to announce a landmark agreement that ensures California students who are classified as disabled because of diabetes will be safe at school and enjoy the same legally-required educational opportunities as their peers. The agreement clarifies the rights of eligible students with diabetes in every school district throughout the state.
K.C., et al. vs. Jack O’Connell, et al.
October 13, 2006
Under an August 2007 Settlement Agreement, each California local education agency (LEA) will manage the delivery of diabetes care for students whose Individualized Education Programs or 504 Plans require administration of insulin and related services during the school day. The CDE issued a Legal Advisory to all California school districts providing guidance on health care services for students with diabetes and outlining the rights of these students under federal anti-discrimination and special education statutes.
Children With Diabetes Sue School Districts, State for Assistance
October 11, 2005
Oakland, California — Four elementary school-age students, along with the American Diabetes Association, filed an unprecedented civil rights complaint today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking class action relief against the California Superintendent of Public Schools, the California Department of Education, members of the California Board of Education, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, the Fremont Unified School District, and their Superintendents and Boards of Trustees. The suit asks the Court to compel public school officials to comply with federal law by providing the assistance that California students with diabetes require to manage their diabetes during the school day.