Community Advisory Committee Special Education

Fist raise in different colors; dark brown, medium brown and tan, though bubbles over each reading: stand up for public schools, stand up for access and stand up for resources. Headline over fist reads Institutionalize Inclusion

Are we institutionalizing Inclusion? 

“Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for Special Education”

How are our children being supported in every way possible to achieve their full potential? This is a question our team reflects on and speaks to at every San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education meeting. We hold fast to the belief that all children are our children, so regardless of whether we as individuals are parents, the only way our beloved San Francisco will thrive is if we advocate for a diverse array of resources and supports for all children. 

One of the many crucial ways we advocate is by participating in our districts CAC for SPED. The purpose of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for Special Education is to champion effective special education programs and services and advise the Board of Education on priorities in the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). The State Education Code mandates that each SELPA has a CAC and that most CAC members are parents of students with disabilities. Joining the CAC gives community members an opportunity to have their opinions heard and make a difference in the way special education is conducted in our area. 

This academic year, SFUSD meetings have been focused on the Superintendents Interim Goals and Guardrails, which focus on increasing students' literacy and proficiency in reading, math, providing a sense of belonging, etc. Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco’s team of experts bring our lived experience to these meetings to passionately advocate for students who share our lived experiences. 

Our Assistant Director of Policy and Learning could not have made it through kindergarten to a master's degree without the support provided in special education. The lawful right to special education is one of the most life-changing gifts of public education. 

Having graduated from Galileo High School in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), I have witnessed firsthand the need for greater inclusion across all schools. Every child deserves equal opportunities for learning and growth, irrespective of their socio-economic status or background. Working with the Parent for Public Schools of San Francisco (PPSSF), I have experienced the transformative impact advocacy can have. By listening to parents' concerns about their children's education and amplifying their voices, we take the first crucial step towards fostering inclusion in our public schools. 

In conclusion, our vision for the future of education is rooted in the belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality education. Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to equity and inclusion, we are confident that our schools will empower students to thrive and succeed in an ever-changing world.