Advisory Commission on Special Education Members
- David Toston, Chair
Victoria Graf, Vice Chair (attending virtually 8/16 and 8/17) - Elizabeth Estes
Dawn Hamilton (attending virtually 8/17) - Betty Lieu
April Lopez (attending virtually 8/16 and 8/17) - Russell Michaud
Sarah Notch
Christine Oyakawa
Gloria Ruiz
Heather Snipes (attending virtually 8/17)
Barbara Sorter
Jeannine Topalian - Matthew Wilkins
Student Members
- Vacant
- Vacant
Legislative Members
- Honorable Marie Alvarado-Gil, Senate
Honorable James Gallagher, Assembly
State Board of Education
Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, Liaison
State Special Schools
Nancy Hlibok Amann, Director, State Special Schools and Services Division
California Department of Education
Executive Secretary
Shiyloh Duncan-Becerril, Interim Director, Special Education Division
California Department of Education
Agenda times are approximate and are provided for convenience only. Items may be re-ordered to be heard on any day of the noticed meeting or on a subsequent agenda. The order of business may be changed without notice. Every effort will be made to webcast this meeting in its entirety, but some portions may not be webcast due to logistical constraints.
Reasonable Accommodation for Any Individual With a Disability
Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in a meeting or function of the Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE), may request assistance by contacting the Special Education Division (SED), 1430 N Street, Suite 2401, Sacramento, CA, 95814; telephone, 916-445-4602; fax, 916-327-3706.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
| Meeting Schedule | Meeting Location |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, August 16, 2023 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time ± |
California Department of Education |
| Thursday, August 17, 2023 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time ± |
California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Room 1101 Sacramento, California 916-445-4602 |
Advisory Commission on Special Education Meeting Logistics
Members of the public may view the meeting by live webcast, which will subsequently be archived on the ACSE Meeting Webcasts web page.
The August 16‒17, 2023, ACSE meeting will be held at the California Department of Education (CDE), at the address noted above. The CDE building will be open to the public, however capacity may be limited in order to allow for physical distancing and members of the public are strongly encouraged to wear masks.
Public Comment Guidelines
Public comment may be via email, phone, or in-person, as specified below.
The public is highly encouraged to submit written comment to the ACSE members in advance for prior consideration. In order to ensure Commissioners have time to review comments, please submit comments by noon on Friday, August 11, 2023. However, comments received after that time will be forwarded to Commission members until the day of the meeting. Comments should be submitted to the ACSE mailbox at ACSE@cde.ca.gov. The following information should be included in the body of the email: (1) commenter’s first and last name, (2) organization affiliation, (3) agenda item number or general public comment.
Phone
Public comment may also be provided by dialing the phone number and participant access code that will be provided on August 16‒17, 2023, and then following the operator’s prompts. Upon dialing in, callers will be added to a caller queue. The operator will notify callers when it is their turn to provide public comment. Public comment will be limited to one minute for each agenda item unless otherwise specified by the ACSE. Members of the public wishing to dial in for public comment should view the live-stream of the meeting. The number and access code will be provided at the start of public comment for each item.
Prior to making public comment, speakers who are watching the meeting via live webcast should make sure the volume on their computer is muted to avoid echoing or feedback during the call.
In-Person
Public comment may also be provided in-person at the ACSE meeting. However, capacity may be limited to allow for physical distancing and members of the public are strongly encouraged to wear masks. Individuals who wish to comment on a specific agenda item or provide general public comment must sign up on the public comment roster prior to public comment. Public comment will be limited to one minute for each agenda item unless otherwise specified by the ACSE.
Agenda Item Materials
Agenda item materials, including presentation materials, are available by sending a request for copies to ACSE@cde.ca.gov.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 10 a.m. Pacific Time ±
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California
Begin Meeting
10 to 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time ±
- Call to Order: Roll Call
- Salute to the American Flag
- Communications and Announcements
- Review of Agenda: Day One
- Review of Public Comment Options
Item 1
10:15 to 11 a.m.
Supporting Inclusive Practices: Mindset can be the biggest barrier to inclusive and equitable systems, practices, and outcomes in our schools. This presentation will focus on how to create a positive culture of collective accountability by addressing the experiences, beliefs, and actions that inform our mindsets and ultimately our results. Presenters: Dr. Kristin Brooks, Executive Director, Supporting Inclusive Practices Project (SIP), Riverside County Office of Education; Dr. Danny Daher, Coordinator (SIP); Celese Heron, Program Support Specialist, (SIP); and Dr. Juliet Anyanwu, Program Support Specialist, (SIP). (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 2
11 to 11:45 a.m.
Grazer Outstanding Achievement in Learning Award: Presentation of the Grazer Outstanding Achievement in Learning (GOAL) award recipient. (Item Type: Information)
Lunch
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Item 3
1 to 11:45 p.m.
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California: This presentation will provide an update on recent California State Board of Education (SBE) action from May 2023. The SBE approved Summative Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) Overall Performance Level 3, Fluent English Proficient, for the purpose of reclassification of English learner students with the most significant cognitive disabilities beginning in 2022–23. Presenters: Alesha Moreno-Ramirez, Director, Multilingual Support Division (CDE); Dr. Mao Vang, Director, Assessment Development and Administration Division (CDE); Dr. Kelly Bacher, Education Research and Evaluation Administrator, Psychometrics, Evaluation and Data Office, Assessment Development and Administration Division, (CDE). (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 4
1:45 to 2:30 p.m.
System of Support Leads: A brief summary of evaluative data from the special education local plan area (SELPA) leads, an update on the new Special Education Resource Leads, and California Collaborative for Educational Excellence's (CCEE's) role in the facilitation of increased integration and collaboration among all the Statewide System of Support (SSOS) lead initiatives. Presenter: Mindy Fattig, Senior Advisor (SSOS), California Collaborative for Educational Excellence. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Break
2:30 to 2:45 p.m.
Item 5
2:45 to 3:30 p.m.
Government Affairs Division Presentation: Presentation on the roles, responsibilities, and authority of the State Board of Education, Legislature, California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), County Offices of Education, and other relevant education partners by the CDE's Government Affairs Division. Presenter: Michelle Warshaw, Legislative Representative, Government Affairs Division, (CDE). (Item Type: Information)
Item 6
3:30 to 4:15 p.m.
ACSE Strategic Planning Legislative and Policy Committee Report: An update on the work of the Legislative and Policy Committee will be provided. Presenters: Commissioner Sarah Notch and Vice Chair Vicki Graf, (ACSE). (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 7
4:15 to 5 p.m.
General Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. The ACSE is precluded from discussing matters not on the agenda; however, questions may be asked by Commissioners for clarification purposes. Issues raised by the public may be referred to a future meeting agenda. Chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations. (Item Type: Information)
Adjournment
5 p.m.
Adjournment of meeting, day one.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
Thursday, August 17, 2023, 9 a.m. Pacific Time ±
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California
Begin Meeting
9 to 9:15 a.m. Pacific Time ±
- Call to Order: Roll Call
- Salute to the American Flag
- Review of Agenda: Day Two
- Review of Public Comment Options
- Communications and Announcements
Item 8
9:15 to 10 a.m.
Student Commissioner Update: Discussion of student candidates and the selection process. Presenters: Commissioners (ACSE). (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 9
10 to 10:45 a.m.
Whole-Child Presentation: This presentation will provide a brief overview of the science of learning and development and its implications for the whole-child design of education, including instructional practices, structures and systems. The presenter will also make connections between whole-child design and the multiple initiatives (including Community Schools) that districts are implementing. Presenter: Katie Brackenridge, Consultant, Glen Price Group. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Background Information:
Video on The Science of Learning and Development 
(Video; 05:20)
Design Principles for Schools:
Putting the Science of Learning and Development Into Action
(PDF)
Break
10:45 to 11 a.m.
Item 10
11 to 11:20 a.m.
Commissioner Report: An update from Commissioner Liaisons. Presenters: Commissioners (ACSE). (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 11
11:20 to 11:40 a.m.
Commissioners, State Board of Education, and Director of State Special Schools Liaison Reports: An update from Commissioner Liaisons, State Board of Education (SBE) Liaison, and Director of State Special Schools (SSS) Liaison will be provided. Presenters: Commissioners (ASCE), Alison Yoshimoto-Towery (SBE), Nancy Hlibok Amann (SSS). (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 12
11:40 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Special Education Director’s Report: An update on activities within the Special Education Division will be provided. Presenter: Sarah Neville-Morgan, Deputy Superintendent (CDE) and Shiyloh Duncan-Becerril, Interim Director of Special Education, (CDE). (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Lunch
12. to 1 p.m.
Item 13
1 to 1:45 p.m.
Committee Study Sessions (Operations and Planning Committee/Legislative and Policy Committee/Parent Voice): 2023–24 Committee and Liaison Assignments Commissioners will discuss and assign the roles of committee co-chairs and liaisons with statewide partners for the 2023–24 term. Presenter: Chair David Toston, (ASCE). (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 14
1:45 to 2:30 p.m.
Learning Policy Institute Presentation on Community Schools: With the roll-out of the California Community Schools Partnership Program, the state has made a historic investment in community schools, schools that integrate a range of opportunities and supports to nurture student learning, development, and wellbeing. As a result, education leaders must understand how to implement high-quality community schools in policy and practice. This session presents findings from a case study of Oakland Unified, which is home to a longstanding, Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) initiative. The presentation will highlight the ways in which district-level infrastructure has supported schools to effectively collaborate with external partners, integrate services, and incorporate whole child educational approaches. Presenters: Daniel Espinoza, Researcher and Policy Advisor (Learning Policy Institute) and Sarah Klevan, Senior Researcher (Learning Policy Institute). (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Break
2:30 to 2:45 p.m.
Item 15
2:45 to 3:30 p.m.
Committee Reports and Agenda Building: Commissioners will suggest potential items for future ACSE meetings. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 16
3:30 to 3:50 p.m.
General Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. The ACSE is precluded from discussing matters not on the agenda; however, questions may be asked by Commissioners for clarification purposes. Issues raised by the public may be referred to a future meeting agenda. Chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations. (Item Type: Information)
Adjournment
4 p.m.
Adjournment of meeting