Office of Senator Dave Cortese
Contact:Tara Sreekrishnan
(408) 480-7833
San Jose, CA - On October 19, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) and Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) held a press conference to celebrate the passage and signing of the SCCOE sponsored Senate Bill 692, The Special Education Inclusion Act.
“The Santa Clara County County Office of Education and Inclusion Collaborative has been a statewide leader on equity, inclusion and high-quality learning environments in our classrooms,” said Senator Cortese. “Inclusive programs have been shown to increase academic and graduation outcomes for both special education and non-special education students.”
The bill, authored by Senator Cortese and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, ensures the following for students:
- All students are general education students first, including students with disabilities;
- Schools and programmatic planning are reflective of student needs, including the needs of students with disabilities;
- General education classrooms and programs are considered the first setting for all students unless an individualized education program for a student determines another setting is appropriate to guarantee a free and appropriate public education; and
- Schools should use all data on students with disabilities, with a focus on the least restrictive environment, to inform continuous improvement efforts.
“All students with disabilities are first and foremost general education students,” said County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. “They are important members of the general education community and are deserving of equity, dignity, and inclusion with their peers.”
The backdrop of the bill passage celebration was the 9th Annual Inclusion Collaborative State Conference, which drew 500 in attendance through a hybrid model. This annual conference is an educational opportunity to learn and understand best practices for educating students up to age 24 while enhancing equity, diversity and inclusive practices in and out of the classroom.
“Senate Bill 692 leans directly into the work of the Inclusion Collaborative and we are thrilled to see that it is now part of California’s Education Code,” said Sandya Lopez, Director III of the Inclusion Collaborative.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.