Please note, the August 2021 Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE) meeting will be held as a teleconference; Room 1101 (board room) will be closed to the public. See ACSE Meeting Logistics section below for options to view and participate in the meeting.
Advisory Commission on Special Education Members
- Havaughnia Hayes-White, Chair
Stacey Adler, Vice Chair
Marie Alvarado Gil
Michele Andrus
Elizabeth Estes
Dawn Hamilton
April Lopez
Christina Mills
Sarah Notch
Christine Oyakawa
Gloria Ruiz
Kimberly Salomonson
Jeannine Topalian
David M. Toston
Steven Winlock
Legislative Members
- Honorable Richard Pan, Senate
- Honorable Jim Frazier, Assembly
State Board of Education Liaison
- Ilene Straus, State Board Vice President
Executive Secretary
- Heather Calomese, Director, Special Education Division
California Department of Education
All 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 ACSE may request assistance by contacting the California Department of Education (CDE) 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 18, 2021 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific Time ± |
California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Room 1101, Sacramento, CA Phone: 916-445-4602 |
Advisory Commission on Special Education Meeting Logistics
On March 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20 related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Executive Order allows state bodies covered by the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Act) to hold public meetings covered by the Act via web and/or audio teleconferencing. As such, the August ACSE meeting will be held as an audio/video teleconference and will have a live webcast. Room 1101 (board room) at the California Department of Education will be closed to the public. Please see the Public Comment Guidelines section below for options to view and participate in the meeting.
Public Comment Guidelines
Public comment may be via email or phone, as specified below.
The public is highly encouraged to submit written comment to the ACSE members in advance for prior consideration. In order to help ensure that commissioners have time to review the comments, please submit comments by noon on Friday, August 13, 2021. 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 18, 2021, 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 sounds during the call.
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 Mental Health Committee
Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 9–9:30 a.m. Pacific Time
California Department of Education
Sacramento, California
Members of the ACSE Mental Health Committee will meet prior to the start of the ACSE meeting to discuss and plan the activities of the Committee.
- Mental Health Bill of Rights, youth group input
- Equitable access and continuity of services
- Social emotional initiatives, connection to continuum
Advisory Commission on Special Education Operations and Planning Committee
Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 9:30–10 a.m. Pacific Time
California Department of Education
Sacramento, California
Members of the ACSE Operations and Planning (O&P) Committee will meet prior to the start of the ACSE meeting to discuss the operations of the ACSE.
- ACSE Annual Report update
- Review proposed meeting dates, fiscal year (FY) 2024‒25
- In-person meeting update
- Request for Commissioner biography information for posting to ACSE website
Advisory Commission on Special Education
Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 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 Flag
- Communications and Announcements
- Review of Agenda
- Review of How to Provide Public Comment
Item 1
10:15 to 10:30 a.m.
Update from Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction: The Superintendent will engage with Commissioners on current initiatives, including those related to Special Education. (Item type: Information, discussion)
Item 2
10:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Liaison Updates and Reports: Reports from ACSE Liaisons will be provided. (Item type: Information, discussion)
Item 3
10:45 to 11:30 a.m.
Presentation by the 2021 Grazer Outstanding Achievement in Learning Award Recipient: Staff from the Orange Unified School District, Orange Pre-Kindergarten Program, will share details of their award-winning program, and the ACSE will present the award. Presenters: Dr. Sue Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Special Education Local Plan Area/Special Education; Ms. Rachele Dale, Coordinator, Special Education. (Item type: Information, discussion)
Item 4
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
California State Budget Update: Staff from the Department of Finance (DOF) will provide an update on the state budget for FY 2021‒22, including an overview of special education funding. Presenter: Liz Mai, DOF. (Item type: Information, discussion, action)
Lunch
12:15 to 1 p.m.
Item 5
1 to 2:20 p.m.
California Special Education Governance and Accountability Study Update: Staff from WestEd will provide an update on the Special Education Governance and Accountability study and report. Presenters: Sara Doutre, Project Director; Jason Willis, Area Director; Teri Williams Valentine, Senior Program Associate; Tye Ripma, Program Associate; Tyson Barrett, Assistant Professor, Utah State University. (Item type: Information, discussion, action)
Break
2:20 to 2:30 p.m.
Item 6
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Updates from the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Template and Alternative Pathways to a High School Diploma Workgroups: An update on progress, to date, on the work of the State Individualized Education Program (IEP) Template Workgroup and the Alternative Pathways to a High School Diploma for Students with Disabilities Workgroup, created and funded through the 2021 California State Budget Act, will be provided. The update will include an overview of the recommendations from each workgroup and the emerging proposed IEP template. Presenters: Brent Malicote, Sacramento County Office of Education; Jamie Wong, Special Education Strategies, Alternative Pathways Lead; Sara Doutre, WestEd, Individualized Education Program Template Lead. (Item type: Information, discussion, action)
Item 7
4 to 4:05 p.m.
Update from ACSE O&P Committee: The O&P will recommend ACSE meeting dates for FY 2024‒25 for review and approval if no changes are needed. (Item type: Information, discussion, action).
Item 8
4:05 to 4:20 p.m.
Special Education Director’s Report: The Director of the CDE, SED, will provide an update on the activities of the Division. Presenter: Heather Calomese, Director, CDE, SED. (Item type: Information, discussion)
Item 9
4:20 to 4:30 p.m.
Commissioner Updates: Updates from ACSE Commissioners will be provided. (Item type: Information, discussion)
Item 10
4:30 to 4:45 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)
Item 11
4:45 to 5 p.m.
ACSE agenda building: Commissioners will suggest potential agenda items for ACSE meetings.
Adjournment
5 p.m.
Adjournment of meeting