Education

Arlene Mayerson Interviewed for Investigative Report

Important Information about Diabetes Care at School in California

September 16, 2013
On August 12, 2013, the California Supreme Court issued a decision about who is allowed under state law to administer insulin to students.In that decision, the Court clarified that California law allows people who aren't licensed nurses or doctors to give insulin and other prescription medications to students with diabetes and other health conditions in California's public schools.The American Diabetes Association and Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) are very pleased with this decision and believe it will help California children with diabetes get the insulin they need to be healthy and safe at school. (State law already clearly permitted non-medical school staff members to administer glucagon and perform blood glucose monitoring, among other types of diabetes care.)

Strengthening America’s Schools Act (SASA)

June 9, 2013
SASA eliminates the 2% modified achievement standards and ensures that only students for whom the alternate assessment based on alternate academic standards (AA-AAS) is appropriate may have their progress measured by this standard. It also affirms performance targets for all students, clarifies the size of subgroups as being 15 students, requires data collection to improve school climate and measure academic growth, and ensures that schools implement multi-tier assessments and universal design for learning.

Amend Section 32282 of the Education Code

April 10, 2013
SB 549 requires school and school districts within their school safety plans to better define the role of police officers on campus in order to promote effective strategies towards school safety that better support a healthy school climate and student achievement. It additionally prioritizes funding for school counselors and administrators before police officers.

Involuntary Transfer

April 10, 2013
SB 744 addresses the due process rights of youth involuntarily transferred to county community or community day schools and also closes a loophole in the discipline statute that allows such transfers even when an expulsion of a student is not recommended.

The Education Code – Relating To Pupil Discipline

April 8, 2013
AB 420 limits the use of "willful defiance" as a grounds for suspension for younger students, eliminates it as a grounds for expulsion, and, in line with existing law, require the use of other means of correction to discipline a child, at least two times prior to suspending him or her.

An Act to Add Section 56426.10 to the Education Code

March 25, 2013
Establishes timelines and procedures for the transfer of responsibility and records, and the provision of early intervention and developmental services, to children in foster care who move from one regional center catchment area to another.

Clarifying Amendment to the Pratt-Smoot Act

September 5, 2012
Approximately two million people who are currently unable to read print, a small subset of people with disabilities, would become eligible under the bill.

Keeping All Students Safe Act

July 10, 2012
For over a decade, the dangers from restraint and seclusion have been well known and documented. Reports and studies have shown that students and staff are safer when positive interventions and supports, rather than restraint and seclusion, are used in schools.

Education Code – Relating to Pupils

June 19, 2012
An act to amend Sections 48070.6, 48273, 48900.8, and 48916.1 of, and to add Section 48916.2 to, the Education Code, relating to pupils.