We post news, statements, and other timely information related to State and PAUSD educational policy, special education, and Palo Alto CAC activities. You can read more about the Palo Alto CAC's advisory role on our District Advisory page.
News
CAC and Special Education News
Dyslexia Guidelines – Released by California Dept. of Education (CDE)
The California Department of Education (CDE) has released Dyslexia Guidelines.
From the website: “The guidelines will be used to assist regular education teachers, special education teachers, and parents to identify and assess pupils with dyslexia, and to plan, provide, evaluate, and improve educational services to pupils with dyslexia.”
CDE Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group website
California Dyslexia Guidelines (PDF […]
CAC letter to Superintendent McGee regarding Special Education Director search
The Palo Alto CAC has prepared this letter (PDF) describing the attributes and qualities we hope to see in the district’s next Special Education Director […]
Special Olympics / Schools Partnership Track Meet
Friday, April 28th, 9:30AM-Noon
Gunn High School, Athletic Fields, 780 Arastradero Road
PAUSD and Special Olympics Northern California have joined together in a new Special Olympics Schools Partnership program. Through sports, the program aims to provide opportunities for special education students and their peers to work together as teammates and to create inclusive opportunities in the school community. Come cheer on the students in their last big event of the year. Over 125 student athletes from PAUSD elementary, middle and high school and surrounding areas will be participating and showing off their skills in track and field events […]
CAC Comment on PAUSD Equity Plan
March 13, 2017
To: Members of the PAUSD School Board, Superintendent McGee and Dr. Castellon:
The Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education (CAC) wholeheartedly supports inclusion of students with disabilities in PAUSD’s Equity Plan. We remind you that at this time, the CAC has not yet input into the current 2016/17 version. However, we agree that the approaches should include:
1. Empowering parents and students with information
2. Providing an equitable education, free of bias and discrimination
3. Monitoring progress with standardized benchmarks by sub-group
4. Building positive and trusting relationships
5. Teaching practices inclusive […]
U.S. Department of Education Releases Guidance on Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities
On December 28, 2016, the US Dept of Education published a press release and several documents addressing the rights of students with disabilities. This includes a new comprehensive guide to 504 plans, as well as guidance on the use of restraint & seclusion on students (and when this crosses the line to discrimination.) These represent important developments for the rights of students with disabilities.
The newly published documents include:
A Press release from US Dept of Education, published Dec 28, regarding new guidance.
A new Parent and Educator Resource Guide to 504 Plans in Elementary & Secondary Schools
Regarding the […]
Special Ed Review – Final Report and CAC Response
The final report of the PAUSD Special Education Review by Hehir and Associates has been released, and the Palo Alto CAC has issued a response. See below for documents.
This review affirms many of the issues and concerns we articulated previously, and surveys of teachers and administrators are now confirming the same. PAUSD includes students with disabilities in General Education classrooms, however, that alone is insufficient to ensure access to the supports and specialized instruction that students with disabilities need for effective learning.
The Report points to a lack of information for measuring Special Education program effectiveness, and insufficient classroom […]
Middle School bullying case renews concerns over district’s response
VIDEO REPORT: Palo Alto Weekly Publisher Bill Johnson, Editor Jocelyn Dong and education reporter Elena Kadvany discuss the Palo Alto school district’s handling of the repeated bullying of a special-education middle-school student.
Unity Day 2016 – Recap from PAUSD
Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) students across the school district recently participated in a variety of meaningful activities to appreciate and celebrate diversity, kindness, inclusion and respect on Unity Day, a national event when schools and communities come together against bullying. October is National Bullying Prevention Month. PAUSD schools respect differences and acts of kindness throughout the school year, but especially appreciate the opportunity to celebrate Unity Day as an important component of ongoing efforts to promote student well-being.
In PAUSD Unity Day is jointly sponsored by the district, the Palo Alto Council of PTAs, and […]
Video of PA School Board Candidate Forum
2016 PAUSD School Board Candidate Forum, jointly sponsored by Parent Advocates for Student Success, the Palo Alto CAC, and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs. Video recording from Saturday, October 1st, 2016 […]
Board of Education Goals for the 2016-17 Academic Year
Superintendent McGee presented revised Board of Education Goals for the 2016-17 Academic Year on August 23, 2016
Revised the District Goals 2016-2017 including new Goal #8: “Develop a systems based work plan to address recommendations in forthcoming Special Education Program Review Report”
Intermediate Outcomes (results of the work we do that will be evident in the next 6 to 12 months): “Increase in accommodations to students without or prior to 504 or IEP plans; improved student achievement; a “transparent and timely identification process;” and increase in participation in programs and activities.”
Long-Term […]