CAC for Special Education

Community Advisory Committee for Special Education Link to this section

CAC MONTHLY UPDATE Link to this section

Hello CAC Community!

How are you? I hope you are finding moments of peace and moments of joy during these tumultuous days. This newsletter includes some important updates and information about free special education workshops, resources and articles, please take a moment to scroll down to take advantage of these opportunities.

The CAC Board met Monday night with District Leaders and shared their concerns and questions about supports and services for students with disabilities and their families at this time and in case of a strike. While we do not yet have answers, the CAC Board found support in just being together and want to encourage everyone to reach out and stay in touch with friends, community and loved ones. We need each other now more than ever. We also need accurate information. Here are links to the UESF and the SFUSD negotiations websites, please go here to get the latest updates and information. As we get updates and information we are committed to sharing it out with families.

Thank you to all who attended our January 22nd meeting for an LCAP Community Conversation and overview of the budget. As a reminder, our "All About Behavior" meeting will be held on February 26th.

If you missed previous meetings and are interested in watching the recording or viewing the slides, please visit our meeting archives.

Read the rest of the monthly update here

2025-2026 CAC Updates- August, September, October, November, December, January, February

2024-2025 CAC Updates- August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June

2023-2024 CAC Updates - August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May

2022-2023 CAC Updates - September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May

2021-2022 CAC Updates - August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May June

UPCOMING CAC Meeting - Thursday, February 26, 2026 Link to this section

All About Behavior

Presented by the SFUSD CAC

Date & Time: Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 6:00-8:00pm

Location: Hybrid, In-person at Support for Families, 832 Folsom St, Suite #1001 (10th Floor), Virtual on Zoom, Register here

Join the CAC at our monthly meeting to learn about Special Education Behavior Services and how schools can support students with behavior needs at every level. We will explain what families and schools can do, how support plans are made, and how we work together to help students succeed.

Zoom Registration and In-person Registration

Please help us spread the word by sharing our flyer!

CAC 2025-2026 Meeting Calendar | Español | 中文 | Tiếng Việt | عربي | Tagalog

Missed a meeting? Check out the CAC Meeting Archives to find minutes, presentation slides + more!

August 28, 2025 - Back to School - SFUSD Special Education Resources

September 25, 2025 - Special Day Classes in SFUSD

October 23, 2025 - Know Your Rights

November 20, 2025 - Community Cafe on Significant Disproportionality with AAPAC

December 8-12, 2025 - Inclusive Schools Week

January 22, 2026 - Community Conversation on SFUSD Budget + LCAP

February 26, 2026 - All About Behavior

March 26, 2026 - Golden Gate Regional Center

April 23, 2026 - Advocates Worthy of Excellence Awards

May 28, 2026 - SFUSD SELPA Local Plan (Special Education Budget & Service Plan)

June 7, 2026 - CAC Community Picnic

PURPOSE OF THE CAC Link to this section

The purpose of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for Special Education is to champion effective special education programs and services and advise the Board of Education on priorities in the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA).

The State Education Code mandates that each SELPA have a CAC and that a majority of CAC members are parents of students with disabilities.

Joining the CAC gives community members an opportunity to have their opinions heard and make a difference in the way special education is conducted in our area. Find out more on the CAC membership page.

For more information about the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education read the article: Making Special Education Work for All Students by Disability Rights of CA or visit CACSpEdSF.com

Woman with brown hair sitting on the sidewalk with her arms folded over her knees

Students’ Reading Struggles Tied to Flawed Assessment. So Why Do Schools Use It?

"For six years, Kelley has been fighting to get her son, now 13, a proper education in how to read. And she has tried to convince the district to drop the test that missed his reading difficulties."

Image of a woman at a work table working on a large round wooden art piece ((Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

The Fine Art of Sheltering in Place by Denise Sullivan (Photo: Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner) May 10, 2020

In her role as vice-chair of the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education with the San Francisco Unified School District, Satinover advocates for gifted students and those who are dyslexic or diagnosed with ADD

Darryl Lester surrounding by 8 women posing for a picture in front of a presentation screen.

CA Association of School Psychologists, October 2019

On October 24th Lee Romney from KALW interviewed Darryl Lester (aka Larry P) about his experience in education in the 70s. In addition, several SFUSD parents participated in a parent panel on the experience of black families in special education. (The i

Panelists at the Learning While Black in SFUSD community forum. Picture by Joe R. Goyos/ Support for Families of Children with Disabilities

Learning While Black: Community Forum By Ben Trefny & Lee Romney, KALW • (Photo by Joe Goyos) March 23, 2019

Community members came together on Thursday, March 21, for a forum and roundtable discussion of what it takes to navigate San Francisco Unified School District’s Special Education system and to develop an action plan to support African American students

A blonde haired woman with glasses is reading to a little girl with brown hair and a pink backpack

Solving California's Early Literacy Crisis is a Social Justice Imperative

Megan Potente is co-state director for Decoding Dyslexia CA, a grassroots movement dedicated to improving literacy outcomes for those with dyslexia and all struggling readers.

Pictured in black and white are the 11 candidates for the 2024 Election for the Board of Education on a yellow background.

Special Education a focus as school board race nears finish

"Nine of the 11 candidates qualified for the ballot spoke Thursday at a town hall organized by the district Community Advisory Committee for Special Education. It took on additional significance following the resignation of the former Superintendent..."

This page was last updated on February 19, 2026