Student Health

September 6, 2019

New California vaccine legislation gains Gov. Newsom’s approval after deal reached

California Governor Gavin Newsom agreed to sign legislation that tightens restrictions on medical exemptions that allow students to attend school without all the required vaccinations if lawmakers promise to pass revisions in a second bill.

Diana Lambert

September 4, 2019

Tighter California vaccination restrictions await Newsom, who wants changes

The bill would allow the state to review a medical exemption if a child attends a school with an immunization rate of less than 95 percent.

Diana Lambert

August 7, 2019

California charter, private schools report lower vaccination rates than traditional public schools

When school opened in 2018, charter and private schools reported lower vaccination rates than traditional public schools.

Diana Lambert And Daniel J. Willis

June 20, 2019

What schools and parents need to know about California’s vaccination law: a quick guide

Proposed changes to California's 2015 vaccination law now being considered in the Legislature would limit medical exemptions.

Jane Meredith Adams And Diana Lambert

May 9, 2019

California approves new guidance for teaching sex education

The sex education recommendations are part of the state's overall health education framework approved by the board and have generated fierce opposition from conservative religious groups.

David Washburn

May 6, 2019

Conservative religious groups targeting California’s sex education guidance

With the State Board of Education set to vote on new teaching guidelines, groups have launched an aggressive effort to remove recommendations focused on LGBTQ inclusiveness and others they deem too explicit for young students.

David Washburn

April 23, 2019

A ‘booster shot’ for California’s vaccine law?

Sen. Richard Pan is proposing a bill to curb medical exemptions for vaccinations of public school students.

Julie Patel Liss

March 27, 2019

Q&A: California’s first-ever surgeon general on her plans to tackle toxic stress in children

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, a pediatrician who Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed in January, is recognized as a pioneer in the study of how adverse childhood experiences affect brain development and life-long health.

David Washburn

December 18, 2018

With sparse state funding, California districts get creative in addressing student health

As needs far outpace resources, districts are increasingly turning to outside partnerships to provide services that they see as crucial to a student's success.

David Washburn

November 14, 2018

Trump's proposed regulations limiting benefits for immigrants could hurt many US-born children

The Trump administration proposes to deny people green cards for using Medi-Cal or food stamps. Benefits received by U.S. citizen children cannot be taken into account, under the draft regulations. But experts say parents could pull hundreds of thousands of California children out of health and nutrition programs out of fear.

Zaidee Stavely

September 18, 2018

School-based health care a low priority in California

The state ranks at or near the bottom nationwide in student access to health and counseling services. But all schools could offer basic care for $90 in added annual spending per student, report finds.

David Washburn

September 13, 2018

Most districts complying with California’s sex ed law, but resistance remains

The vast majority of large urban districts statewide have implemented the 2015 California Healthy Youth Act. Yet uproar over the landmark law has garnered headlines in a few places, most notably Orange County.

David Washburn

July 31, 2018

California's soda tax ban stalled a grassroots movement, but didn't kill it

Though still angry over the deal Sacramento lawmakers made with the sweetened beverage industry, children's health advocates are busy plotting a new course.

David Washburn

July 31, 2018

Q&A: Making playgrounds fully accessible for all kids

Olenka Villarreal is the founder and executive director of Magical Bridge Foundation, which creates inclusive playgrounds that everyone can use, including young people with disabilities.

Erin Brownfield

September 18, 2017

Vinnie Pompei wants you to know that we're all biased, and we can work with that

Some LGBT students find themselves accepted by their peers, but not by teachers and administrators at school, said Vinnie Pompei of the Human Rights Campaign, who will speak at the EdSource Symposium in October.

Jane Meredith Adams