ACSE Impact Award

To highlight best practices and “what is working” in California for students with disabilities, the California Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE) is seeking to recognize exemplary local educational agencies, schools, school-systems, initiatives, and programs (hereby referred to as Program) that result in positive outcomes for students with disabilities in the State of California. Established by the ACSE and in partnership with Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Administrators of California and Special Education Administrators of County Offices the ACSE Impact Award recognizes these innovative and replicable Programs with a monetary award and encourages the implementation of these Programs throughout California.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Programs and practices in substantial compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 operated by school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and non-public schools that serve students with disabilities may apply.

What are the Selection Criteria?

Programs will be judged based on the Impact award scoring rubric, including demonstrating success for students with disabilities, incorporating innovative or highly effective design elements, being easily replicable and sustainable, establishing connections with stakeholders, and overall effectiveness in serving students with disabilities.

Who was Awarded the Impact Award

The 2024–25 ACSE Impact Award was awarded to the Pathways to Possibility: Inclusion in Action, Advancing Opportunities for Students program out of the Orange Unified School District (OUSD). Launched in 2018, the Pathways to Possibility program heralds a courageous and monumental shift in OUSD's commitment to equitable and inclusive educational opportunities for students with disabilities (SWDs). This program is one that impacts students from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through adult transition age, and includes such initiatives as: We Embrace Literacy Initiative, Exemplary Educator Initiative, Behavior Builders Model Initiative, Co-Teaching Connect Initiative, Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Initiative, Entrance and Exit Criteria for Restrictive Settings, Orange Works Vocational Pathway Initiative, and the Data Centric Paradigm/Accountability Crosswalk Initiative. Through these initiatives, OUSD has seen improvements across a wide variety of indicators including staff professional development, least restrictive environment, academic performance metrics, and post-secondary outcomes.

ACSE Impact Award - SELPA Video 2025 (Video; 4:34)

What is the Application Process?

The application process includes the following:

1. Submission of complete application form (PDF).
2. Willingness to host a half-day site visit by the judges, if selected.
3. If selected, program representatives must be available to attend the GOAL Award ceremony in Sacramento.

When is the Award Ceremony?

The awards ceremony is generally held at the California Department of Education during the June ACSE meeting. The ceremony typically starts at 11 a.m. with a reception immediately following.