#StrongerTogetherAsSchoolBoardTrustees

 On Thursday March 17, 2022, the Santa Clara County School Board Association Legislative Action Special Education Subcommittee; MUSD Superintendent Cheryl Jordan; South East Special Education Local Plan Area Director Shelly Ota; SCCOE Government Relations Amanda Dickey, Esq; Senator Dave Cortese; CSBA Legislative Analyst Ericka Hoffman; and CSBA Chief Legal Counsel Bob Tuerck hosted an Inclusive Conversation about Special Education for Santa Clara County School Board members and other community leaders.
 
A video recording of the special session is available for viewing here.
 
Over the years, "Special Services" in public education for students with different learning requirements has become known as "Special Education," and is commonly viewed as a separate education system. There are many reasons for this perception, some of which were discussed briefly during our conversation, which is why the move toward inclusion will provide a dynamic and responsive system for all learners. 
 
Here is a link to presentation: Inclusive Special Education Conversation
 
Here are the videos:
 

• Inclusion and Education: Voices from Around the World
• Shelly Moore: Transforming Inclusive Education

 
MUSD Superintendent Jordan and I provided each panelist the opportunity to share valuable insights for each of us to consider and learn more about including Significant Disproportionality; LEA Billing Option Program, SB 692, AB 2034, and other legislation identified by the speakers. Attendees gained context on how key legal cases impact our district funding and the direction of future services Emma C., et al v. Thurmond, et. al. (1996); Morgan Hill Concerned Parents Association, et. al. v. California Department of Education, et. al. (2011); and E.E., et. al., v. State of California, et. al. (2021).  
 
As the SCCSBA LAC Special Education Committee Chair, I encourage board members to stay connected to the Special Education conversation with the Santa Clara County School Board Association Legislative Action Committee, please register here.

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