88th Annual CASCWA State Conference

This session adopts an equity-centered approach by prioritizing the needs and dignity of all students, particularly those from historically marginalized or underserved communities. The focus on restorative practices ensures that disciplinary measures are fair, inclusive, and non-punitive, addressing the root causes of misconduct rather than perpetuating exclusionary practices like suspensions and expulsions, which disproportionately impact students of color, students with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.
By integrating effective threat management, the session also emphasizes proactive strategies that ensure a safe learning environment for all students, preventing biased or inequitable responses to potential safety concerns. The goal is to create a supportive school culture that values each student’s unique circumstances, fosters a sense of belonging, and promotes personal and academic growth through guidance, relationship-building, and access to resources.
This holistic approach helps dismantle systemic barriers, promotes equity in school discipline, and ensures that every student has the opportunity to succeed in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment.

Google Slide Presentation

In TVUSD, we have seen a dramatic increase in challenging behaviors from general education students, specifically at the elementary school level. This has resulted in a significant increase in referrals for special education assessments. Over the past year we have worked tirelessly to develop resources and provide support to our elementary sites to ensure that these students have access to all of the targeted interventions and supports necessary to mitigate their behavior and afford them increased success in the general education setting, rather than relying on our special education department to address these concerns. We want to be sure that the students who are referred to special education are only at that point because they have been given every opportunity to find success in the least restrictive environment, first. This presentation is a showcase of the resources we have created, the steps we have taken, our successes/challenges, the work we have done, and our next steps as we navigate this challenge in our district.

 1. TYPES OF DRUGS AND CURRENT DRUG TRENDS 2. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF USE 3. PREVENTION MEASURES 4. INTERVENTIONS 5. A SUPPORTIVE, TIERED APPROACH TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL USE 6. NARCAN AND HOW TO USE IT ATTENDEES WILL BE TRAINED ON THE USE OF NARCAN.

THIS SESSION WILL PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO STREET SOCIALIZED YOUTH AND WHY RELATIONSHIPS CAN DEFLECT THEIR TRAJECTORY INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THROUGH HIS EXPERIENCE WORKING IN COURT AND ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS, ALONG WITH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND INTERVIEWS OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF INCARCERATED MALES ABOUT THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, HE WILL SHARE WHY INCREASED AWARENESS INTO THE LIVES OF STREET SOCIALIZED STUDENTS FROM MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES CAN IMPROVE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND RELATIONSHIPS, REDUCE THE DROPOUT RATE, AND IMPEDE FUTURE INCARCERATION. ATTENDEES WILL UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEVELOPING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH AT-PROMISE YOUTH, AND HOW THESE INTERACTIONS CAN BENEFIT THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

In this session, participants will receive an overview of the pillars of Restorative Practices backed with real stories from the classroom. Participants will be able to inspire their students to take control of their education and accountability for their actions. Restorative practices is a foundation for equitable education, where everyone can be a valued member of the learning community, no matter the path that has led them there.  From the shared experience of three Alternative Education Teachers, participants will be empowered to make Restorative Practices a priority at their schools, and reignite the love of education for the youth they serve.

With 40,000 students across nearly 70 schools, Garden Grove Unified School District transformed their post-pandemic attendance approach from compliance-focused to a comprehensive cultural shift emphasizing student engagement and family partnership. District leaders will share how they leveraged their MTSS framework to create sustainable attendance improvements, particularly among vulnerable populations. Learn how they aligned attendance initiatives with LCAP goals, integrated equity-focused practices into outreach strategies, and built a scalable system across all grade levels. Discover how their data-driven approach has created lasting improvements in student attendance and engagement.

Learn about Lodi USD's system of approach for addressing student attendance and truancy.  This presentation will cover the following: district/school site structure for attendance/truancy, Lodi USD's truancy mediation process, and the use of RaaWee K12 Attendance Improvement software.