Learning Curve: Charting Progress on Pesticide Use and the Healthy Schools Act.

This progress report investigated two key questions regarding the Healthy Schools Act and pesticide use in California's schools. First, has the act reduced overall pesticide use in California's largest school districts? Second, having had a year to come into compliance, are surveyed districts meeting their responsibilities? Based on a survey of school districts, the report concludes that highly toxic pesticides are still common in California schools, that some changes in pest management practices are occurring, that there is inconsistent compliance with the act, and that school districts should adopt strong integrated pest management policies. The report concludes with recommendations. (Appendices include scorecards for several school districts, pesticides and active ingredients used by district, hazards of pesticide active ingredients used, toxicity categories, resources for further action, and methodology.) (EV)