Dear County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators:

Parent Advisory Council

As the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I am committed to ensuring that families are at the center of all we do. The effects of COVID-19 have been widespread and have created impacts unlike anything that we have ever seen. Families have experienced significant impacts in supporting their students’ educational journeys 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 families to make sure they are included in the conversation about what education looks like for children.

That is why the California Department of Education will be launching the first State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Parent Advisory Council. The Parent Advisory Council will work directly with my office to provide input and feedback on matters affecting youth throughout the state. I am creating a council of diverse parents that will directly work with policymakers and educational partners to provide equitable change to California’s education system through authentic parent voices. As we reimagine education, we hope to have parents working alongside California’s education professionals and policymakers to build a better tomorrow for all learning institutions in our state.

An informational session on how to apply will take place on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Please register in advance for this meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlceCtrDsuGtLUS_fnuzInExrRki0iiFkR.

If you have any questions or would like an application, please email ParentAdvisoryCouncil@cde.ca.gov. The deadline to apply is May 5, 2022.

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

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction