The report used federal data to make the argument that schoolchildren in America are over-policed and under-supported by health and mental health professionals.
Striking teachers have forced California districts to address student-to-nurse ratios that are among the worst in the nation. But they have to compete with the higher-paying private sector in the midst of an overall shortage of nurses.
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.
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.
In the midst of a nationwide measles outbreak tied to unvaccinated children and adults in California, the nation's leading autism advocacy group has changed its position and now clearly states there is no link between vaccinations and autism.
The largest outbreak of measles in California in years is prompting school officials to redouble their efforts to convince parents to vaccinate their children.
While vision screening is mandatory for California students, they often don’t get the glasses they need. Increasingly, schools and nonprofit organizations are working together to help.