Draft

Community Advisory Committee on Special Education Meeting

Wednesday February 15, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

meeting information below agenda

AGENDA

6:08 p.m. – Start: Opening and CAC Business

1. Opening – CAC Chair is out sick but present online.  Melanie S. introduced the staff to parents and made opening statements, CAC mission, reminder for the expected etiquette, and expected educational partners forum comments time.
2. Roll Call – CAC Secretary Ivan Flores took rollcall. There were Members present: 19 / 59 Participants (In-person 46 / online 13) – Quorum was established, and CAC business took place.
3. New member vote: Rosa Flores de Melgoza requested the membership to accept her application to join CAC. Eileen C. made the motion to accept the new member. Julie W. seconded the motion. Vote: 15 Yeas / 0 Nays. Motion passes to accept new member
   1. Minutes: January: Elieen C. made the motion to accept the January Minutes with no corrections. Kara F. seconded the motion. Vote: 15 Yeas / 0 Nays. Motion passes to accept January Minutes
   1. SELPA Updates: Dr. Sean Virnig gave the update on the upcoming SELPA Plan process and May 3, 2023, Legislative Day. It is an opportunity to meet with local legislators and bring issues related to special education to the forefront.

Transition Supports and Resources by Department of Rehabilitation and Q&A: Program Manager, Belinda Boylan and Counselor Stephanie Perez present on DOR eligibility and services. More information can be found at https://www.dor.ca.gov/

SPED Department Updates on Alternative Pathways to Diploma and Alternative Learning Pathways: Mike Fletcher, Special Education Regional

Instructional Manager (RIM) presented. Parents had questions about whether or not the new diploma pathway is similar to a general education diploma or a certificate of completion. Answer is “no” it is different from both the diploma and certificate of completion. While it is based on the IEP process, the Alternative Pathways to Diploma is created by new legislation that provides access to core curriculum in order to satisfy the requirements for a high school diploma and in developing an alternative alignment to the state’s alternative achievement standards for student with significant special education service needs. Currently, FUSD is ahead of legislation requirements in offering an alternative diploma.

More information: Pathways to a High School Diploma – Legislative Report (CA Dept of Education)

Educational Partners Forum

Transition: Parents had questions on where the transition points for students are who need special education services.

1. Pre-Kinder – Kinder;

• 6th – 7th grades;

• 8th – 9th grades;

• 12th – ATP (19 – 21), if needed.

• ATP (age out at 22), if needed

Behavioral needs: Parents had questions on how to receive behavioral services for their students. Contact the RIM for assistance on Behavior Support Plan and Behavior Intervention Plan to address these needs through the IEP process.

Alternative Diploma: Parents had questions about what is available for ATP students.

1. Is the Alternative Diploma available to ATP students? It is unknown at this time.

• Do students who receive an Alternative Diploma still be eligible for ATP? Yes.
• Will the Alternative Diploma have the same weight as general education diploma? It will be similar but will not have the same weight for entrance into University of California or California State University requirements. It will not affect entrance into Community College.

7:39 p.m. – Closing and Adjournment

 

Meeting Information

The Community Advisory Committee on Special Education, or CAC, invites you to participate in our monthly in-person meeting at Parent

University. The address is 850 N. Blackstone Ave., Fresno, CA 93701.

• The phone number to Parent University is (559) 457-3390.
• Both Spanish and Hmong interpretation will be provided
• Refreshment will be served.
• Childcare will be provided as well.

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you at the meeting.

Online Option

If you cannot make the CAC meeting in person you can attend the meeting on Microsoft Teams. Please note that the online meeting will be in English only.

Spanish, Hmong and Sign Language Interpretation will be provided in person. Link to Team Meeting: Click here to join the meeting