Three Portantino Education Bills Pass Key Policy Committee, Mental Health, Teacher Shortage & Special Ed Set to Benefit
For Immediate Release: March 23, 2022
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Three Portantino Education Bills Pass Key Policy Committee, Mental Health, Teacher Shortage & Special Ed Set to Benefit
Sacramento, CA – Today, Senate Bills 941, 1016, and 1302 authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) passed the Senate Education Committee. SB 941 encourages inter-district collaboration for courses related to STEM and dual language immersion, while SB 1302 would establish or improve wellness and mental health support centers on campus and SB 1016 would enhance special education services.
“Reports suggest that a majority of students are not currently receiving the mental health care they need,” stated Senator Portantino. “Teachers and administrators are overwhelmed. Students need access to mental health resources now more than ever. SB 1302 addresses this issue and is necessary for the long-term wellbeing and academic success of our students.”
A 2020 report by the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission found that one in three high school students reported feeling chronically sad and hopeless, with the number rising to more than half for LGBT students. SB 1302 would appropriate $1B to the Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide annual grants of up to $250,000 each to high schools to establish or improve student wellness centers. The bill would require grant funds to provide comprehensive medical and behavioral health services, including activities that will help students to be healthy in body, mind, and spirit in order to learn successfully. SB 1302 would authorize grant funds to be used for personnel to support pupil health and would require the State Department of Education to identify criteria for the evaluation of applicants and the awarding of grants.
“Our children are in crisis—and we must start addressing their mental health needs or face the consequences of a generation of adults who will suffer physically and emotionally for years,” said Dr. Nealon, President of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology-Southern California. “Addressing youth mental health early is an investment in our future.”
During the 2017-18 school year, 80% of California school districts faced a shortage of teachers, with most schools reporting that the shortage is getting worse. After speaking to parents from Pasadena Unified School District, Senator Portantino authored SB 941 to cut out the bureaucracy and allow those districts to work out an arrangement that benefits the student and their respective school. The measure authorizes multiple school districts to enter into agreements to offer individual classes to pupils from either district due to teacher shortages in STEM or dual-language immersion programs.
“The shortage of teachers – especially in the math, science, and bilingual education courses – continues to impact kids and their learning environment. The consequences of substandard learning outcomes are likely to reverberate through future educational attainment and economic prospects,” stated Senator Portantino. “A great alternative to class cancellations or emergency teacher credentials is inter-district collaboration for STEM and dual immersion courses. Allowing school district to easily collaborate and have an open-door policy will undoubtedly improve learning outcomes.”
The Association of California School Administrators’ Interim Executive Director Marc Ecker applauded the passage of SB 941: “With Senator Portantino’s leadership, SB 941 would help relieve some of the challenges involving educator shortages, especially for small and rural districts with limited resources. In many cases, there are no available educators to teach these core classes, and students ultimately suffer. We thank Senator Portantino for championing this bill that will help provide students from all regions of the state the opportunity to access an equitable education.”
Students with the most prevalent developmental disability in the US are being under-served in school districts across the state, with detrimental lifelong consequences. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is currently not a recognized category for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is also not named as a disorder under the Other Health Impaired category by the California Department of Education. Senator Portantino authored SB 1016, which requires FASD to be included under the “other health impairment” definition for Individual Education Plans (IEPs). SB 1016 expands eligibility for students with FASD to receive the special education and related services they deserve and need.
“With early intervention and appropriate education services, individuals with an FASD will achieve their full potential and lead productive lives,” stated Senator Portantino. “For this reason, it’s critical that we include FASD as part of special education services. Failure to do so will have detrimental effects for children and their families.”
“We are incredibly grateful that SB 1016 has passed through the Senate Education Committee with full support. As advocates in the field and as impacted families, we are thrilled at the prospect of improving outcomes for students struggling with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders,” stated Christine Clifford with FASD Now!, a sponsor of SB 1016.
Senator Portantino has long been advocating for policies that improve mental health and education outcomes for our youth. He has authored legislation that implements mental health education and training in schools, requires early screening for risk of dyslexia, and requires schools to print the suicide hotline on student identification cards. Additionally, the Senator dedicated three years to pass SB 328, which pushes back school start times for middle and high schools.
###
