SBE Student Member Application

Any student who is a California resident, enrolled in a California public high school, who will be enrolled in good standing in the twelfth grade in the school year during the term of office, and who is available to attend the next Student Advisory Board on Education (SABE) conference may apply.

The Student Advisory Board on Education (SABE) conference is hosted by the California Association of Student Councils (CASC) and provides a three-day forum for students to meet in small groups to develop proposals that address education issues of concern to California public school students. The conference is held annually in November in Sacramento.

The Student Member serves a one-year term from August 1 through July 31.

The estimated time commitment required for the Student Member will be at least two consecutive school days every other month to attend regular State Board meetings, in Sacramento; a one-day orientation; sufficient time to study the agenda materials in advance of the meeting, which may include consultation with board staff for background information related to agenda issues; additional time for handling other Board-related business; and time to attend selected advisory group meetings, student meetings, workshops, and conferences.

The student board member is a full, voting member of the State Board of Education. In addition to attending each board meeting and participating in the discussion and voting process, the student member serves as liaison to the California Association of Student Councils (CASC) and may attend selected advisory group meetings, student meetings, workshops, and conferences.

Travel, lodging, and meal costs will be paid by the SBE in the amount allowed by state regulations. Additionally, the State Board’s Student Member receives a $100 stipend for each day’s service on approved, official business.

The selection and appointment process has four stages:

• Stage 1: Initial Screening and Selection of twelve Semifinalists

  The SBE Screening Committee will review all applications and select twelve semifinalists from among the applicants. The decision of the Screening Committee is final.

• Stage 2: Presentation and Selection of Six Final Candidates

  The twelve semifinalists attend the Student Advisory Board on Education (SABE) conference, during which each semifinalist participates in conference activities, including delivering a speech. Over the course of the conference, SABE attendees select up to six final candidates. The selection of the six candidates is final.

• Stage 3: Interview and Selection of Three Finalists

  During the SABE conference, the Screening Committee interviews each of the six final candidates and recommends three finalists to the SBE. At the November SBE meeting, the State Board will consider the Screening Committee’s recommendation and select the three finalists. SBE staff then submit the names of the three finalists to the Governor. Interviews and the selection of three finalists will occur before and at the SBE’s November meeting. The SBE’s recommendations to the Governor are final.

• Stage 4: Appointment of the Next Student Member

  Representatives of the Governor interview the three finalists, usually in the late spring or summer of the following year. Following those interviews, the Governor will select and appoint the next Student Member of the California State Board of Education.

The current members of the SBE Screening Committee are listed on the SBE Member Assignments web page.

Before completing the application, please read the description of the position carefully. Each prospective applicant should (1) fully understand the time requirement that serving on the SBE would add to his or her workload and schedule and (2) give serious consideration to the frequent travel requirements of the position. If you qualify for the Student Board Member position and wish to apply, please submit a complete application package via the SBE Student Board Member Recruitment portal with all required materials, which consists of:

• the completed application form
• three letters of recommendation
• a copy of your school transcript
• optional supplemental items, such as news articles, if you wish

Please submit all materials at one time (unless you have letters of recommendation being submitted separately).

Applicants should stay within the character limit identified in each question. Responses that exceed the stated limit will be truncated, and any text beyond the character limit will not be reviewed or considered by the SBE Screening Committee. Applicants are strongly encouraged to draft and review their responses before submitting their application.

Deadlines and other important dates are listed at the top of this page. No late applications will be accepted.

Applicants are required to complete the Student Member Online Application and submit their supporting documents, including letters of recommendation, transcript, and supplemental items, via the SBE Student Member Application Portal page.

Please check your email Spam/Junk folders for the confirmation email.

If that is not the issue, then verify whether the email account used to create your login has any restrictions that may prevent you from receiving messages from our staff or Microsoft auto-generated messages. Because of this, we recommend using a non-school email account to create your Microsoft account login.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours at the email address specified in the application.

Applicants who do not receive a timely confirmation email should assume the application was not received by the SBE. Please contact the SBE Office at 916-319-0827 or SBE@sbe.ca.gov for questions.

You are requested to provide three letters of recommendation. At least one letter should be from a current or former teacher and at least one letter should be from an administrator or counselor at your high school. All letters should be from individuals who know you personally and who are not family members. The letters should attest to include your leadership accomplishments and why you would serve California public school students well as the Student Member of the State Board of Education.

Yes. They may upload their letters directly via the SBE Student Member Application Portal page. Please be sure their letter is sent on or before the application deadline. If a sender wishes to submit their letter directly to the State Board Office, please be sure that their letter is sent on or before the application deadline.

Documents submitted through the SBE Student Member Application Portal page are associated with the user's login and are visible only to the specific user and SBE staff. They are not visible to other users of the site.

Documents can be added, removed, or replaced until the close of the application period. To do this, login to the SBE Student Member Application Portal page and select the Upload Supporting Files or Document tile to manage the files you uploaded. If you attached files from the online web form, select the View Online Application tile, open your submitted item, and then manage the files under the Attachment section.

Semi-finalists are typically notified in mid-October.