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
2018 Dyslexia Plan – CAC response and resources
Please read the CAC response to the 2018 PAUSD Dyslexia Guidelines Implementation Plan.
Also, the Dyslexia Resolution was presented by the PAUSD Dyslexia Workgroup on January 30, 2018.
  […]
CAC Statement regarding PAUSD Special Education Evaluation
Statement by CAC regarding the district’s internal operations review, a Special Education Evaluation that looks at patterns of practice and need, and shares their data and findings to date. This was presented at the Feb 27 School Board Meeting […]
CAC Statement to Board on Proposed Equity Plan (Dec 2017)
Click here to read a statement CAC made to the PAUSD Board about the new Equity Plan (Dec 17, 2017)
The Proposed Plan illustrates key building blocks for an equity-focused system — setting high expectations for all students, and goals for the groups who are the furthest behind. By providing transparency about how students are faring, we can apply critical interventions to help them succeed […]
Special Education – Final Review & District Presentation to Board (Nov 2017)
Read the Special Education Report: Summary of Findings and Recommendations
In the Fall of 2015, the district initiated a review of our Special Education services. Thomas Hehir and Associates, an educational research team…was contracted by the district to conduct a Special Education Program Review. The Board approved the proposal for phase one of the work in October 2015. Dr. Hehir and his team spent a week in the district interviewing stakeholders, reviewing Special Education materials, and visiting school sites and classrooms…[Staff presented on it’s]…continued efforts to meet our social, academic, and legal obligations to provide a […]
PAUSD Celebrates Unity Day – slideshow
Thank you to everyone who helped to support Unity Day 2017. On this occasion we took action to unite our district and stand together against bullying, harassment and relational aggression. Together we are sowing seeds for a kinder future! Here is a slideshow of the celebration at campuses throughout our district […]
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.”
2 Page Summary
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 […]