California Practitioners Advisory Group Bylaws

California Practitioners Advisory Group

Governing Policy

Adopted by the State Board of Education on March 10, 2016

Background

With the enactment of the Local Control Funding Formula in 2013, California changed the finance and accountability systems for its K-12 public education system.  The California State Board of Education (SBE) was delegated authority to implement key provisions of the Local Control Funding Formula, including the Local Control and Accountability Plan template (Education Code § 52064), spending regulations (Education Code § 42238.07), and the Local Control Funding Formula evaluation rubrics (Education Code § 52064.5).

Additionally, Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114–95, § 1603, 20 United States Code § 6573) requires each State educational agency that receives Title I funds to create a State committee of practitioners to advise the State in carrying out its responsibilities under Title I.

These changes to the local, state, and federal education policy landscape present a unique opportunity for California to develop a single coherent accountability system.  The California Practitioners Advisory Group (CPAG) is established to advise the SBE on decisions related to developing this integrated system and will also serve as the State committee of practitioners.

Composition

Members of the California Practitioners Advisory Group (CPAG) are appointed by the SBE. The majority of members shall be representatives from local educational agencies. The CPAG shall have a total membership of at least 15 positions that, as of the time of appointment, are representative of the following categories:

• Superintendents or other Administrators
• Teachers from traditional public schools and charter schools and career and technical educators
• Principals and other school leaders
• Parents of student(s) currently enrolled in the K-12 public education system
• Members of local school boards
• Representatives of private school children
• Specialized instructional support personnel and paraprofessionals
• Representatives of authorized public chartering agencies
• Charter school leaders
• Education researchers

Members will be appointed to ensure appropriate representation among the membership categories.  Members may qualify as representatives of more than one membership category. 

Purpose

The purpose of the CPAG shall be to provide input to the SBE on practical implications of decisions before the SBE, which may include providing input on the design of the Local Control Funding Formula evaluation rubrics and other decisions related to implementing the Local Control Funding Formula. 

Additionally, the CPAG will serve as the State committee of practitioners, as required under Title I.  Accordingly, the CPAG will review any State rules and regulations relating to Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, in order to advise the state in carrying out its Title I responsibilities.

Term of Office

Members will serve a maximum term of three years. Terms of office will be staggered to avoid the need to replace the majority of members at the same time. Members are expected to attend all meetings. 

Frequency of Meetings

Regular meetings of the CPAG will be conducted annually or as needed.

Rules of Governance

The Screening Committee will recommend the appointment of a chair and a vice-chair from the CPAG members. The chair shall preside at all meetings of the CPAG; prepare the agenda for each meeting in consultation with California Department of Education (CDE) and SBE staff; and perform other necessary activities to assist the CPAG. The vice-chair shall conduct meetings in the absence of the chair.

Each member of the CPAG shall have one vote. Actions by the CPAG shall be taken by a majority of CPAG membership present during a scheduled meeting.

Unless otherwise specified, Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised shall govern the procedures of CPAG meetings.

Applicability of Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act

In accordance with law, meetings of the CPAG are subject to the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act.

Travel, Lodging, and Other Expenses

CPAG members shall be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses related to CPAG meetings only, at the same rate applicable for CDE staff. No reimbursement will be made for other activities.

Staff to the California Practitioners Advisory Group

The CDE staff will summarize comments and/or recommendations of the CPAG from the CPAG meetings to present to the SBE.