As America paused to honor those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, due to acts of international terrorism, Gov. Gray Davis and teacher representatives took a major step in the battle against the kind of hatred and intolerance that spawned those acts of violence.
Davis signed into law AB 1250, a CTA-supported measure by Assembly Member John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), that will add staff development in the prevention of hate and intolerance to the list of items that can already be the subject of authorized staff development.
CTA Board Member Paula Caplinger represented CTA at the bill's signing.
AB 1250 defines staff development designed to prevent hate and intolerance as one of those expenses for which districts can be reimbursed under the Instructional Time and Staff Development program.
CTA supported AB 1250 and commended Laird for championing it because of its firm belief that all students have the right to participate fully in the educational process, free from discrimination and harassment.
AB 1250 is one of a number of measures backed by CTA that aim to educate youngsters against hatred and bias in any of its forms.