EdCal EdCal v48.30 5/21/18 | Page 8

Clearinghouse for Specialized Media and Technology

In California , the state mission is to provide a world-class education for all of the nearly 7 million students , from early childhood to adulthood . Together , as a team , students are prepared to live , work and thrive in a multicultural , multilingual and highly connected world where the resources and talents of each child are honored .

Educators must ensure students have access to the full curriculum and that inequities are addressed . The Education Code requires that copies of adopted textbooks and other state-adopted instructional materials be available in large print , braille , and other accessible media , such as audio books and more , for students with visual impairments . The law also calls for a central clearinghouse / repository and duplication center for these specialized items . That ’ s what educators do have in the Clearinghouse for Specialized Media and Technology ( CSMT ), part of the Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division of the California Department of Education .

The Ed Code requirements , often unknown or overlooked , provide a great deal

of access and equity for students with visual impairments . However , these resources are available to other students with disabilities enrolled in the state ’ s public schools who are unable to progress in the general curriculum using conventional print copies of textbooks and other study materials . The CSMT offers :

• Textbooks , workbooks , and literature books in braille , large print , rich text , audio recordings , Digital Talking Books , and electronic files .

• Registration of students who are blind or visually impaired for the Federal Quota program of the American Printing House for the Blind ( APH ).

• Instructional materials and products from the APH .

• Instructional Materials Ordering and Distribution System for state-adopted K-8 instructional materials .

• A list service for educators working with students with disabilities to share information and exchange ideas with each other .

Materials can be ordered by any public school educator in California at no cost . Registration is required . To learn more about resources from the CSMT or to order materials , go to http :// bit . ly / 2HSjwtb . You can also contact the CSMT directly at csmt @ cde . ca . gov or by calling ( 916 ) 319- 0881 .

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EL Roadmap launch events The California English Learner Roadmap State Board of Education Policy :

Educational Programs and Services for English Learners ( EL Roadmap Policy ) is a groundbreaking update – the first of its kind in 20 years – addressing the vision that “ English learners fully and meaningfully access and participate in a twenty-first century education ” and attain “ high levels of English proficiency , mastery of grade level standards , and opportunities to develop proficiency in multiple languages .”

The California Department of Education , in conjunction with local county offices of education , is pleased to offer implementation guidance through California English Learner Roadmap Launch Events across the state .

These interactive events will invite teams to :

• Dig deeper into the California English Learner Roadmap : Strengthening Comprehensive Educational Policies , Programs , and Practices for English Learners .

• Prepare to communicate with stakeholders about the EL Roadmap Policy .

• Work toward aligning the four principles of the CA EL Roadmap with the Local Control and Accountability Plan .

• Learn from other districts currently implementing EL Roadmap Policy .

Teams should include superintendents and assistant superintendents and may also include site administrators , classroom teacher leaders , school board members , county office teams , university partners and institutions of higher education , other educational support organization representatives , and directors or coordinators in the areas of curriculum , instruction , English learner education , data analysis , assessment ,

LCAP development , accountability and early childhood education . Dates and locations :

• June 20 , Orange County Department of Education , http :// ocde . k12oms . org / 1288-148255 .

• July 31 , Sacramento COE , https :// scoe . gosignmeup . com .

• Aug . 31 , Tulare COE , http :// tulare . k12oms . org / 147-148307 .

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Mobile app for summer and afterschool meal program locations

The California Department of Education has announced the release of their CA Meals for Kids mobile app . The app allows users to find the locations of California ’ s Summer and Afterschool Meal Programs , which are spread throughout the state . These programs provide no-cost meals to children aged eighteen and under .

The CA Meals for Kids App draws upon information submitted to the CDE Nutrition Services Division by local program sponsors and provides up-to-date information about meal services available in the community . Children and families can use location-based searches to find meal sites , dates , and times . The app also allows for searches by site name , zip code , and city .

The CA Meals for Kids mobile app is available for free download through Apple ’ s App Store , Google ’ s Play Store , and Microsoft ’ s App Store webpages . More information is available on CDE ’ s CA Meals for Kids Mobile Application support webpage at http :// bit . ly / 2vtCHrd .