Advisory Commission on Special Education Members
- David Toston, Chair
Victoria Graf, Vice Chair - Elizabeth Estes
- 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
Dr. 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, April 16, 2025 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time ± |
California Department of Education |
| Thursday, April 17, 2025 9 to 11:40 a.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 April 16‒17, 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, April 11, 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 April 16–17, 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, April 16, 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
- Swearing in of Commissioner
Item 1
10:15 to 11 a.m.
Advancing Racial Equity Through Data: Using Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) to Uncover and Address Disparities in Early Childhood Special Education: This presentation introduces a framework for using data in early childhood to promote racial equity, emphasizing the importance of identifying disparities in child outcomes. It models a structured process, the Look, Think, Act cycle for reviewing data and identifying meaningful, equity-driven actions. Presenter: Cornelia Taylor, Research Director (Napa County Office of Education). (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 2
11 to 11:45 a.m.
Pathways to Partnership (P2P): Members of the P2P leadership team will share an update of their Statewide System of Support initiative. Pathways to Partnership is the Special Education Resource Lead focused on Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR). An update on the goals and progress of the initiative, in its second year, will be provided. The presentation will focus on the strong collaboration with the CDE Special Education Division's Constituent Support Services Unit, including direct technical assistance P2P is providing to the field. P2P will also provide information on their established statewide Regional Implementation Lead network of ADR professionals, Communities of Practice, and Professional Learning opportunities across the state. Presenters: Dr. Rachel Heenan, Director of Special Education (CDE, SED); Denise Lambert, Education Programs Consultant (CDE, SED); Veronica Coates, Assistant Superintendent (Tehama County Special Education Local Plan Area [SELPA] and Co-Executive Director of the P2P initiative); Joanna Della Gatta, Executive Director (Ventura County SELPA and Co-Executive Director of the P2P initiative); Aubrie Fulk, Director of Student, Family, and District Support (Tehama County SELPA and Co-Director of The P2P initiative); and Stacy Alvey, Director of Family and School Collaboration (Ventura County SELPA and Co-Director of the P2P initiative). (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 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.
Annual State Application Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): The Special Education Division will provide an update on the status of the preliminary application for federal fiscal year 2025 funding under the IDEA. Presenter: Nora Parella, Education Research and Evaluation Consultant (CDE, SED). (Item type: Information, discussion)
Item 5
2 to 2:45 p.m.
California Statewide System of Support: The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) will highlight how increased integration and collaboration across the Statewide System of Support, in partnership with state agencies, is advancing equity and access to resources and services. Special focus will be given to the role of Special Education Resource Leads in supporting local educational agencies to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Key data and resources will be shared to illustrate impact and support implementation. Presenters: Mindy Fattig, Senior Advisor (CCEE) and Melissa Hodgson, Senior Program Specialist (CCEE) (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Break
2:45 to 3 p.m.
Item 6
3 to 3:45 p.m.
Family Empowerment Centers on Disability Overview and Update: A brief overview will be provided on the Family Empowerment Centers on Disability (FECs). FECs serve parents of children and young adults with disabilities in California. Additionally, representatives from two FECs will share insights on the regional impact of their respective centers. Presenters: Patrick Garcia-Smith, Education Programs Consultant (CDE, SED) Robin Ryan, Coordinator (Seeds of Partnership, FEC Representatives), Elena Sanchez, Executive Director, Parents' Place Family Resource and Empowerment Center, Lori Luzader, Executive Director, Special Kids Connect, and Jennifer Netniss, Director of Education, Special Kids Connect. (Item Type: Information)
Item 7
3:45 to 4 p.m.
ACSE Bylaw Review Revisions: Review revisions to the ACSE Bylaws related to term length for ACSE Officers. Presenters: Commissioner Sarah Notch and Vice Chair Vicki Graf, (ACSE). (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 8
4 to 4:15 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
4:15 p.m.
Adjournment of meeting, day one.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
Thursday, April 17, 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 9:30 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
9:30 to 9:45 a.m.
Special Education Director's Report: An update on activities within the SED will be provided. Presenter: Rachel Heenan, Director of Special Education (CDE, SED). (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 11
9:45 to 10:05 a.m.
Commissioner Report: An update from Commissioner Liaisons. Presenters: Commissioners (ACSE). (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Break
10:05 to 10:20 a.m.
Item 12
10:20 to 10:40 a.m.
Annual Nomination of Officers for 2025–26: Review of election process. Presenter: Elections Committee (ACSE). (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 13
10:40 to 11:25 a.m.
Committee Study Sessions (Operations and Planning Committee/Legislative and Policy Committee/Parent Voice) and Agenda Building: Commissioners will share updates and proposals from committees. Presenter: Commissioners (ASCE). (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 14
11:25 to 11:40 a.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
11:40 a.m.
Adjournment of meeting