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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.