Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

California is divided into 'areas' for the purposes of administering special education services for students with disabilities. These areas are called Special Education Local Planning Areas or 'SELPAS'. Each SELPA must submit a Local Plan to the state every few years describing how services will be delivered to students receiving special education services in their planning area in accordance with the law.

California Education Code (Part 30, Chapter 2, Article 7, 56190 ) requires each Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) to establish a Community Advisory Committee for Special Education (CAC). CAC membership is comprised of parents with students who receive Special Education services, parents with students in general education, district staff from both special and general education, community agency representatives and any community member who is interested in Special Education.

Purpose of the CAC:

The mission of the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education (CACSE) is to improve outcomes for ALL students by supporting needs-based learning, equal opportunities and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.

The NMUSD CAC is a working committee that advises the School Board about issues related to special education, participates in the development, amendment and review of the local plan, recommends annual priorities to be addressed by the plan, assists in parent education, assists in recruitment of parents and other volunteers who may contribute to the implementation of the plan, encourages community involvement in the development and review of the plan, supports activities on behalf of individuals with special needs, and assists in parent awareness of the importance of regular school attendance.

In partnership with Harbor Council PTA and the Newport Mesa USD Community Advisory Committee, we developed Parent Education Series workshops, open to everyone at no cost. No need to RSVP.

Visit the Parent Education Series webpage to learn more.

Sara Pittington
Administrative Asst. II
spittington@nmusd.us
714.424.8923