What Has Changed
THRIVE started advocating for inclusive education for students with disabilities in Conejo Valley USD in 2018. Since then, many teachers, staff and school and district leaders have worked hard to change and improve education for students with disabilities.
The Special Education District Advisory Council (SEDAC), made up of parent representatives from every school, have consistently created change through advocacy, sharing information with families and developing resources.
Having leaders that welcome parent voices also makes a positive difference, and we are fortunate to have collaborative relationships with district leaders, including the Superintendent, his leadership cabinet and school board Trustees.
Below are some of the positive changes that have happened in Conejo Valley USD since 2018.
Movement Towards Inclusion in Conejo Valley USD
Steps Taken
- Creation of the Special Education District Advisory Council (SEDAC)
- Commitment to Inclusion
- Adoption of Universal Design for Learning as a foundational district-wide education practice
- Introduction of Co-Teaching, which has grown to 63 co-taught secondary classes in 2024
- Hiring an Inclusion Specialist
- Introduction of Unified Sports and Young Athletes programs at elementary and high schools, with Unified Sports including games between all three high schools
- Growth of Sparkles Cheer program, which now includes postsecondary students
- Creation of Strategic Plan for Inclusion for Students with Disabilities, now in its second iteration
- Delivering extensive professional development about inclusion to teachers, staff and administrators, including consultations with experts Dr. Shelley Moore and Katie Novak
- Development of a Co-Teaching Handbook
- Moving elementary special day classes to additional campuses to increase opportunities for academic and social inclusion
- Creation of a co-taught elementary program at Aspen Elementary, which now spans from TK to second grade
- Ventura County Office of Education becomes a Supporting Innovative Practices grantee
- Conejo Valley USD becomes a Supporting Innovative Practices grantee in 2024-2025
- Adding more co-taught TK classes for 2025-2026
Breaking Down Barriers
CVUSD is breaking down barriers for high school students to be included where they have not been in the past, with innovations like an inclusive theater class, inclusive dance performances, an inclusive swim team and a student with disabilities with her own segment on Panther TV (video link below).
Impact of Inclusive Practices in Conejo Valley USD
Benchmarks and Indicators
- Attendance of students with disabilities has increased 3.1%
- Students with disabilities in a co-taught math class at a middle school have raised their scores on benchmark assessments and are performing commensurate with peers
- D and F percentages have lowered for students in co-taught classes across middle schools
- In Aspen Elementary’s co-taught program from TK-2, students with disabilities are showing a higher percentage of meeting or approaching standards on report cards
Social inclusion of students with disabilities is increasing in new and unexpected ways. Here are high school and elementary students at a year-end Unified Sports dance party!
Least Restrictive Environment
And the Biggest Change of All?
There has been a huge improvement in the district’s Least Restrictive Environment data, with the percentage of students with disabilities accessing general education for 80% or more of their day jumping to 58.5%!
When THRIVE began, CVUSD’s Least Restrictive environment percentage was 38.6%. That’s almost 20% growth!