Dear County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators:

Youth Advisory Council

As the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I am committed to ensuring that youth are at the center of all we do. The effects of COVID-19 have been widespread and created impacts unlike anything that we have ever seen. Youth have experienced their education in ways that are unprecedented, including pivoting to virtual learning and foregoing in-person school experiences.

As we transition back to in-person learning, it is more important than ever to make sure we are reaching out to our youth to make sure they are included in the conversation about what education looks like for them and for their peers.

That is why this fall, the California Department of Education (CDE) will be launching the State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

Under the CDE’s Equity Branch, the YAC will work directly with my office to provide input and feedback on matters affecting youth throughout the state. I am creating a cohort of young people that will directly work with policymakers and educational partners to provide equitable change to California's education system through authentic youth voices. As we reimagine education, we hope to have young people working alongside California's education professionals and policymakers to build a better tomorrow for all learning institutions in our state.

The application for young people to apply for the YAC is available from September 24 to October 15, 2021. For information on how to apply, please send an email to YouthAdvisoryCouncil@cde.ca.gov.

I encourage you to share this unique opportunity with your students.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

TT:ws