NO ALTERNATIVES FOR CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAM; REVAMPING JUVENILE HALLS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY; CALIFORNIA’S FOOD SAFETY WARNING LAWS COULD BE NULLIFIED; ADOLESCENT OBESITY
NO ALTERNATIVES FOR CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAM
The state Board of Education voted on Wednesday against offering alternative assessments for students who fail to pass California's high school exit exam. The unanimous decision means that potentially tens of thousands of high school seniors who have been unable to pass the two-part test will not be allowed to graduate with their classmates. Larry Mantle talks with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, UTLA President A.J. Duffy and attorney Arturo Gonzalez about the Board’s decision and its impact on students.
REVAMPING JUVENILE HALLS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Larry Mantle talks with LA County Chief Probation Officer Paul Higa about violence in the Juvenile Halls and steps being taken every day to combat problems faced in juvenile facilities. Higa will also outline new strategies in services and rehabilitation.
CALIFORNIA’S FOOD SAFETY WARNING LAWS COULD BE NULLIFIED
Congress advanced a bill yesterday that would prohibit state-mandated food safety warnings for most products. If passed by the Senate, California’s landmark food safety labeling law, Prop 65, and similar laws across the country would be preempted by federal laws. Larry Mantle talks with Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman and Republican Congressman John Campbell.
ADOLESCENT OBESITY
They don’t eat right. They don’t exercise. The result: LA’s children are just too fat. From Type II diabetes to hormonal, liver and a host of other problems, too many of our kids are in serious trouble thanks to years of eating food with too much sugar and too much bad fat. Researchers fear we’re raising a generation of kids that are going to grow up into a generation of sick adults. Larry Mantle talks with LA Free clinic chief medical officer Dr. Jehni Robinson, California Center for Public Health Advocacy policy director Amanda Purcell and Amy Dresser, Director of Policy and Communications for LAUSD School Board President Marlene Canter.