Advisory Commission on Special Education Members
- Sarah Notch, Chair
Heather Snipes, Vice Chair - Victoria Graf
- Dawn Hamilton
April Lopez - Russell Michaud
Christine Oyakawa
Gloria Ruiz - Aubrey Scott
Barbara Sorter
- Matthew Wilkins
Student Members
- Helena Donato-Sapp
Michelle Feimer
Legislative Members
- Honorable Sasha Rene Perez, Senate
Honorable James Gallagher, Assembly
State Board of Education
Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, Liaison
State Special Schools
Nancy Hlibok Amann, Director, State Special Schools and Services Division
California Department of Education
Executive Secretary
Dr. Rachel Heenan, Director, Special Education Division
California Department of Education
Agenda times are approximate and are provided for convenience only. Items may be re-ordered to be heard on any day of the noticed meeting or on a subsequent agenda. The order of business may be changed without notice. Every effort will be made to webcast this meeting in its entirety, but some portions may not be webcast due to logistical constraints.
Reasonable Accommodation for Any Individual With a Disability
Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in a meeting or function of the Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE), may request assistance by contacting the Special Education Division (SED), 1430 N Street, Suite 2401, Sacramento, CA, 95814; telephone, 916-445-4602; fax, 916-327-3706.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
| Meeting Schedule | Meeting Location |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 10, 2026 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time ± |
California Department of Education |
| Thursday, June 11, 2026 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time ± |
California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Room 1101 Sacramento, California 916-445-4602 |
Advisory Commission on Special Education Meeting Logistics
Members of the public may view the meeting by live webcast, which will subsequently be archived on the ACSE Meeting Webcasts web page.
The June 10‒11, 2026, ACSE meeting will be held at the California Department of Education (CDE), at the address noted above. The CDE building will be open to the public, however capacity may be limited to allow for physical distancing and members of the public are strongly encouraged to wear masks.
Public Comment Guidelines
Public comment may be via email, phone, or in-person, as specified below.
The public is highly encouraged to submit written comment to the ACSE members in advance for prior consideration. In order to ensure Commissioners have time to review comments, please submit comments by noon on Friday, June 5, 2026. However, comments received after that time will be forwarded to Commission members until the day of the meeting. Comments should be submitted to the ACSE mailbox at ACSE@cde.ca.gov. The following information should be included in the body of the email: (1) commenter's first and last name, (2) organization affiliation, (3) agenda item number or general public comment.
Phone
Public comment may also be provided by dialing the phone number and participant access code that will be provided on June 10–11, 2026, and then following the operator's prompts. Upon dialing in, callers will be added to a caller queue. The operator will notify callers when it is their turn to provide public comment. Public comment will be limited to one minute for each agenda item unless otherwise specified by the ACSE. Members of the public wishing to dial in for public comment should view the live-stream of the meeting. The number and access code will be provided at the start of public comment for each item.
Prior to making public comment, speakers who are watching the meeting via live webcast should make sure the volume on their computer is muted to avoid echoing or feedback during the call.
Please use the phone number and access code provided below:
- Phone number: 717-908-1926
- Participant Access Code: 1166083#
In-Person
Public comment may also be provided in-person at the ACSE meeting. However, capacity may be limited to allow for physical distancing and members of the public are strongly encouraged to wear masks. Individuals who wish to comment on a specific agenda item or provide general public comment must sign up on the public comment roster prior to public comment. Public comment will be limited to one minute for each agenda item unless otherwise specified by the ACSE.
Agenda Item Materials
Agenda item materials, including presentation materials, are available by sending a request for copies to ACSE@cde.ca.gov.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 10 a.m. Pacific Time ±
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California
Begin Meeting
10 to 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time ±
- Call to Order: Roll Call
- Salute to the American Flag
- Review of Agenda: Day One
- Accessibility
- Review of Public Comment Options
- Communications and Announcements
Item 1
10:15 to 11 a.m.
California’s Commitment to Inclusive College: Supporting the Expansion of Inclusive College Programs and the Work of the California Center for Inclusive College (CCIC). CCIC members will provide an update on the current landscape of California’s inclusive college programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as the opportunities and challenges related to program sustainability and expansion. Presenters: Dr. Jovan Jacobs, Director, Division of Special Education, Los Angeles County Office of Education, and Kristin Wright, Coordinator III, Sacramento County Office of Education. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 2
11 to 11:45 a.m.
Impact Award: Presentation of the Impact Award recipient—Saugus Union School District, Rosedell Inclusion. (Item Type: Information, Discussion Action)
Lunch
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Item 3
1 to 1:15 p.m.
General Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. The ACSE is precluded from discussing matters not on the agenda; however, questions may be asked by Commissioners for clarification purposes. Issues raised by the public may be referred to in a future meeting agenda. The chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations. (Item Type: Information)
Item 4
1:15 to 1:45 p.m.
Annual Election of Officers: The Commission will hold the annual election of officers for 2026–27. The Election Committee will propose bylaw amendments to the term of officers. (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 5
1:45 to 2:30 p.m.
ACSE Annual Report: Sharing of the ACSE Annual Report and reflection and feedback for the ACSE annual report. Presenters: Chair Notch, Vice Chair Snipes (Item type: Information, discussion, Action)
Break
2:30 to 2:45 p.m.
Item 6
2:45 to 3:30 p.m.
School Services of California: Inclusive Practices–The Smart Investment for Student Success and Fiscal Health: Inclusive and innovative practices are a smart investment for the future, especially expanding the continuum of inclusive access in the early childhood education grade spans. Consider strategies to leverage existing funding streams, align initiatives, and position students, families, and local educational agencies (LEAs) for positive outcomes through supporting the rightful presence of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment, improving relationships, and ensuring solid returns on investment for LEAs. Presenter: Anjanette Pelletier, Director, Management Consulting Services, School Services of California Inc. (Item Type: Information, Discussion).
Item 7
3:30 to 4 p.m.
Committee Study Session (Operations and Planning): In accordance with the ACSE bylaws, the Operations and Planning Committee will meet. Presenters: Commissioners, ACSE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 8
4 to 4:30 p.m.
Committee Study Session (Legislation and Policy): In accordance with the ACSE bylaws, the Legislation and Policy Committee will meet. Presenters: Commissioners, ACSE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 9
4:30 to 4:45 p.m.
General Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. The ACSE is precluded from discussing matters not on the agenda; however, questions may be asked by Commissioners for clarification purposes. Issues raised by the public may be referred to in a future meeting agenda. The chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations. (Item Type: Information)
Adjournment
4:45 to 5 p.m.
Adjournment of meeting, day one.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 9 a.m. Pacific Time ±
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California
Begin Meeting
9 to 9:15 a.m. Pacific Time ±
- Call to Order: Roll Call
- Salute to the American Flag
- Review of Agenda: Day Two
- Accessibility
- Review of Public Comment Options
- Communications and Announcements
Item 10
9:15 to 9:45 a.m.
Commissioner Liaison Report: An update from Commissioner Liaisons. Presenters: ACSE Commissioners. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 11
9:45 to 10:15 a.m.
State Board of Education Liaison Report: An update from State Board of Education (SBE) Liaison. Presenter: Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, SBE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Break
10:15 to 10:30 a.m.
Item 12
10:30 to 11 a.m.
Director of State Special Schools Liaison Report: An update from Director of State Special Schools (SSS) Liaison will be provided. Presenter: Nancy Hlibok Amann, SSS. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 13
11 to 11:30 a.m.
Special Education Director’s Report: An update on activities within the SED will be provided. Presenter: Dr. Rachel Heenan, Director of Special Education, CDE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Lunch
11:30 a.m to 1 p.m.
Item 14
1 to 1:15 p.m.
General Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. The ACSE is precluded from discussing matters not on the agenda; however, questions may be asked by Commissioners for clarification purposes. Issues raised by the public may be referred to in a future meeting agenda. The chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations. (Item Type: Information)
Item 15
1:15 to 2 p.m.
Alta California Regional Center: The Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) will provide a presentation to ACSE with an overview of California Regional Center services and how they align with ACSE’s strategic priorities. The ACRC will highlight how regional centers support student and family voice, strengthen supports, and promote inclusive practices. The goal is to deepen understanding of how systems work together to improve outcomes for children and families. Presenters: Jennifer Bloom, Director of Client Services, ACRC, and Kristine Gamberg, Education Support Manager, ACRC. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 16
2 to 2:30 p.m.
Agenda Building: Commissioners will suggest potential items for future ACSE meetings. (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 17
2:30 to 3 p.m.
General Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. The ACSE is precluded from discussing matters not on the agenda; however, questions may be asked by Commissioners for clarification purposes. Issues raised by the public may be referred to in a future meeting agenda. The chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations. (Item Type: Information)
Adjournment
3 to 3:15 p.m.
Adjournment of meeting