April is National Autism Awareness Month in the United States. The month is designated to not only help people understand the disorder, but also to encourage diagnosis and emphasize the importance of early detection. According to the California Autism Society, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is […]
Category: Conditions of Children
Conditions of Children
Students demonstrate across California for stricter gun laws
More than a million people worldwide demonstrated on behalf of gun control policies on March 24, in one of the biggest youth protests in the United States since the Vietnam War. The national and global demonstrations — countered by pro-gun rallies in several cities — […]
State auditor stresses importance of school safety plans
On Nov. 14, 2017, a school secretary heard gunshots from her office and quickly ordered a school lockdown. School staff at Rancho Tehama Elementary School collected students from the playground, barricaded the school and sheltered in place as a gunman rammed through the front gates […]
Sudden cardiac arrest training and awareness now required for schools and coaches
A new California law requires all K-12 schools in the state to educate coaches, parents/guardians and student athletes about sudden cardiac arrest. SCA occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating — typically due to arrhythmia. It is also a leading cause of death for student […]
Celebrating Filipino-Americans in California
As Filipino-American History Month draws to a close, state schools and educators are encouraged to raise awareness of Filipino-American history. Filipinos are the largest Asian-American group in California and the second largest in the United States. About 1.3 percent or roughly 18,500 students in California’s […]
New dyslexia guidelines available online
The California Department of Education recently released the new “California Dyslexia Guidelines” online to help educators and parents recognize the signs of dyslexia and ensure that dyslexic students receive an equitable education. The new guidelines are a result of Assembly Bill 1369, a law which […]
California underperforms in protecting student athletes, report finds
Although California fields the second largest number of high school athletes nationally at just under one million students, the state has placed next to last in rankings for public high school athletic safety, according to a recent report. The report from the University of Connecticut’s […]
After Charlottesville: Resources to help schools discuss intolerance
As the school year begins, the recent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville has been a catalyst for national conversations about racism, bigotry and racially charged symbols. Educators can expect students to want to discuss these issues and their impact. California schools too have grappled with […]
New survey report shares insights about parent perceptions
A recent survey conducted by the nonprofit Learning Heroes found that nine in 10 parents think their children perform at grade level in reading and mathematics. In reality, only one in three students achieve those mastery levels. In response to this disconnect, Learning Heroes recently […]
Tackling concussions: Resources available to help protect student athletes
As interscholastic sports season kicks off, school boards and districts are encouraged to keep in mind head safety for student athletes. California fields the second highest number of high school athletes — roughly 800,000 — among U.S. states. (Texas is first.) These student athletes are […]










