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Student Wellbeing
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Student Health

Asthma, dental decay and diabetes are some of the most common health conditions students bring with them into the classroom — and cause students to miss school. Schools are forming partnerships for student health in a variety of ways, including school-based health centers that provide low-cost medical, dental and counseling services to students.

March 10, 2019

Many California schools have police but no counselors, ACLU report finds

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.

David Washburn
February 24, 2019

Even when districts want more school nurses, they have trouble finding them

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.

David Washburn
January 15, 2019

Trauma in Paradise: A California school system focuses on mental health after devastating fire

As students and educators in and around the town of Paradise begin a new semester, just two months since the deadliest wildfire in California history, they are carrying with them levels of trauma that will certainly impact their ability to learn and teach, experts say.

David Washburn
January 9, 2019

Gov. Newsom proposing to expand services for babies and toddlers

The budget proposal is expected to significantly expand paid family leave, home visits to help parents teach and care for their babies and screenings to identify delays early.

Zaidee Stavely
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
October 12, 2018

Correctable vision problems hinder learning for too many children

Early detection and correction of poor vision is key to giving all children an equal opportunity to learn.

Kristan Gross
October 4, 2018

New California law requires day care centers to test for lead in water

Child care centers will be required to test their drinking water for lead under a new law that builds on a similar requirement for K-12 schools.

Nico Savidge
October 2, 2018

Too many college students are not going back to school this fall

But social and emotional support can help more students succeed in college.

Omar Butler
September 20, 2018

Rejecting one-size-fits-all approach, California governor vetoes later school start time bill

SB 328 would have mandated 8:30 a.m. or later start times for most middle and high schools in the state, based on teen sleep deprivation research.

Theresa Harrington
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 17, 2018

Essential Guide to Getting Down to Facts II

Here are the take-aways from the studies on special education, funding needs, a teacher shortage, a data deficit, student mental health local control's unmet potential – and more.

John Fensterwald, Daniel J. Willis, Yuxuan Xie, And Justin Allen
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
September 6, 2018

Chronic absenteeism pervasive in California and nationwide, report shows

Nearly 8 million students nationwide were chronically absent during the 2015-16 school year; California accounted for more than 760,000 of those children.

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