Advisory Commission on Special Education Members
- David Toston, Chair
Victoria Graf, Vice Chair - Dawn Hamilton
- Betty Lieu
April Lopez - Russell Michaud
Sarah Notch
Christine Oyakawa
Gloria Ruiz - Aubrey Scott
Heather Snipes
Barbara Sorter
- Matthew Wilkins
Student Members
- Rachael Ding
- Saran Tugsjargal
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
Rachel Heenan, 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, February 19, 2025 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time ± |
California Department of Education |
| Thursday, February 20, 2025 9 a.m. to 1 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 February 19‒20, 2025, 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 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, February 14, 2025. 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 February 19-20, 2025, 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.
Please use the phone number and access code provided below:
- Phone number: 717-908-1926
- Participant Access Code: 1166083#
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, February 19, 2025, 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.
Overview of Governor’s Budget: The California Department of Finance (DOF) will give a presentation on the special education related proposals included in the Governor’s Budget and provide a brief overview of special education funding at the state level. Presenters: Alaina Powell, Finance Budget Analyst, DOF, and Liz Mai, Principal Program Budget Analyst, DOF. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 2
11 to 11:45 a.m.
Bagley-Keene: The CDE Legal Division will lead a training on the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. Presenter: Mike Ambrose, Deputy General Counsel, CDE. (Item type: Information, Discussion)
Lunch
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Item 3
1 to 1:15 p.m.
General Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. The Advisory Commission on Special Education (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 4
1:15 to 2 p.m.
Committee Study Session - Impact Award: ACSE Committee will meet to: Assess progress on current projects and initiatives; Ensure their strategies and activities are aligned; and Prepare reports or agenda items to present at upcoming ACSE meetings. Presenters: Committee Chairs, ACSE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 5
2 to 2:45 p.m.
Statewide 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: Dr. Jovan Jacobs, Director, Division of Special Education, Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and Dr. Marcia Reily, Coordinator III, LACOE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Break
2:45 to 3 p.m.
Item 6
3 to 3:45 p.m.
California Collaborative for Educational Excellence: The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) will highlight some of the universal statewide resources that local educational agencies (LEAs) can access to support students with disabilities. These resources equip educators and administrators with evidence-based strategies, professional learning opportunities, and technical assistance to improve student outcomes. Presenters: Mindy Fattig, Senior Advisor, CCEE, and Melissa Hodgson, Senior Specialist, CCEE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 7
3:45 to 4:30 p.m.
California Alliance of Child and Family Services: The California Alliance of Child and Family Services (CACFS) will be highlighting their newly released 2025 Special Education Guide. CAFS also provides insight into the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, highlighting where their members are involved and collaborating with education and other partners to support youth. Presenters: Corina Dubon, Vice President of Outreach and Development, CACFS, and Adrienne Shilton, Vice President of Public Policy and Strategy, CACFS. (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 8
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)
Adjournment
4:45 to 5 p.m.
Adjournment of meeting, day one.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
Thursday, February 20, 2025, 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 9
9:15 to 9:35 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 10
9:35 to 9:50 a.m.
Commissioner Report: An update from Commissioner Liaisons. Presenters: Commissioners, ACSE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 11
9:50 to 10:15 a.m.
Special Education Director's Report: An update on activities within the Special Education Division will be provided. Presenter: Shiyloh Duncan-Becerril, Associate Director of Special Education, CDE, and Nora Parella, Chief Counsel to the Director, CDE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Break
10:15 to 10:30 a.m.
Item 12
10:30 to 11:25 a.m.
Committee Study Sessions (Operations and Planning Committee/Legislative and Policy Committee/Parent Voice): 2024–25 Committee and Liaison Assignments Commissioners will discuss and assign the roles of committee co-chairs and liaisons with statewide partners for the 2024–25 term. Presenter: Chair David Toston, ASCE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 13
11:25 to 11:40 a.m.
Committee Reports and Agenda Building: Commissioners will suggest potential items for future ACSE meetings. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 14
11:40 a.m. to 12 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
12 to 12:15 p.m.
Adjournment of meeting