I would like to echo the comment made by Carol Delton as a member of the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education - AB 1505 also includes Students with Disabilities as a population on which to focus. How many students with disabilities are the charter schools serving? With what educational programs and supportive services? Are the schools welcoming students with disabilities and letting families know that if they attend they're students will receive the supports their IEPs require? This should be an area of focus in every OCS presentation and every charter matters discussion on 1505.

AB 1505 also includes Students with Disabilities as a population on which to focus. How many students with disabilities are the charter schools serving? With what educational programs and supportive services? Are the schools welcoming students with disabilities and letting families know that if they attend they're students will receive the supports their IEPs require? This should be an area of focus in every OCS presentation and every charter matters discussion on 1505.

The OCS presentation mentions the need to define “racial/ethnic balance” under “Next Steps.” Their “To Do” list should include defining the balance of students with disabilities. Authorizers can push the limits of the law’s intent. Under Admissions, the law addresses potential disparate impact of policies: “Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged…” Charter expansions/renewals should honor the intent of the AB1505 author: “If a charter school is not enrolling as many students with disabilities, especially severely disabled students, the resulting negative fiscal impact on the school district may be considered during renewal if the charter school proposes to expand.”