About CASC
Our mission is to provide leadership development through peer training for California students and their advisors.
Through a combination of in-school and extracurricular programming, our courses emphasize authenticity, ethics, and collaborative decision-making to foster self-esteem and civic engagement.
We believe in the power of youth to change the world
All of our work is guided by our core values: acceptance of all peoples, respect, integrity, and self-empowerment. We believe in the ability of people to continuously develop and change, the power of the individual, and the ripple effect.
Our Story
Originally founded in 1947 by the California Department of Education and the California Association of School Administrators, CASC has a long history of promoting school governance and youth leadership under a student-led model. Our early work promoting organized student councils in public schools quickly expanded statewide, bringing together members of different schools’ leadership to work on regional, state-wide, and international projects.
In the years since, CASC has facilitated leadership conferences, workshops, and networking events, participated in world forums, shaped legislation, and been recognized as a model youth program by state and international groups. We have offered leadership development training to over 50,000 students and introduced our curriculum to students in 8 countries. Today, CASC operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and our programs and training continue to be student-led.
See our work ›
Association History
CA Department of Education and CA Association of School Administrators discuss the formation of a statewide student council association.
First meeting of students under the newly-formed CASC.
Student Advisory Board on Education established; students can propose changes in education policy to the State Board on Education.
The student member position is awarded voting privileges at the State Board of Education meeting.
Winter Election Leadership Conference established to elect a State President and Vice-President.
Elementary conference program is established.
CASC designated one of 3 organizations to design training for national service executives.
CASC formally incorporates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Student Advisory Board on Legislation in Education is established, allowing students to propose legislation to the Senate and Assembly Education Committees. California is the first state to allow students to formally propose legislation to the State Board of Education.
Following a CASC-proposed assembly bill, California establishes the California Youth Empowerment Commission to engage youth directly with policymakers.
Our Structure
CASC is governed by a 25-member State Council and a 15-member Board of Directors.
The members of the State Council are high school students chosen through a competitive application process, and they are responsible for designing and directing programs, advocacy efforts, and peer training initiatives.
The Board of Directors is a mix of adults and students responsible for strategic organizational oversight, policy approval, and fiduciary duties. Most members of these bodies are volunteers.
Several additional leadership roles exist on regional councils, which are established through peer elections.
FAQ
For over 70 years, the California Association of Student Councils has been the state’s student-run organization focusing on youth leadership. CASC serves student councils and their advisors, as well as all other young leaders and students who want to make a difference in their community. Through peer-to-peer leadership training and conferences, CASC provides students and advisors the opportunity to develop leadership skills, network with other students and advisors, and become empowered. CASC also lobbies for students and better schools at the state and local levels.
There are none! We are proud to have an extremely diverse group of students and advisors participate in our programs. Some come to our programs with years of leadership experience and extracurricular activities while others come to our programs with none. Everyone learns and grows from our programs in different ways. Anybody who wishes to develop their leadership skills is welcome to join our program.
CASC can help you develop practical leadership skills like conflict resolution, consensus building, and meeting management. We can help you connect with motivated, engaged peers, push you out of your comfort zone, and provide resources and support as you work to effect real change in your community. Our programs, workshops, and membership network help support your journey toward becoming a better leader.
You can get involved in a number of ways: attend a statewide CASC program (summer camp, SABE, SABLE, or YASC), attend a region conference with your ASB or other student leaders, contact your local region president and get involved with your region, become a part of the governing body of CASC by applying for state council, or reach out and join the Membership Platform. There are no membership fees associated with student membership, though individual programs may have registration fees. There is no formal application process to be a member, though you may need to apply to individual programs or positions. If you ask to join the membership platform, we may reach out to verify that you are above 13.
CASC runs both statewide and local programs. Some offer general leadership development training, others focus on making concrete legislative proposals or enacting community service efforts. For a list of the flagship programs managed directly by CASC, you can check out our Programs page. To see the full schedule of upcoming events, including local programs run by CASC members, consider joining the new CASC Membership Platform.
CASC is unique from other organizations in a variety of ways. Peer-to-Peer Training: rather than adults teaching curriculum and teambuilding to students, students lead most of the activities at CASC events and drive the direction of the organization. Foundational Skills: CASC conferences focus on teaching students HOW to do things rather than WHAT to do. We provide skills and knowledge that will go farther than a dance theme or fundraising idea. CASC encourages students to think critically and teaches students how to apply curriculum to any and every part of their lives. By Students, For Students: CASC recognizes and supports the power of youth. This is an organization run FOR students BY students to ensure that all the needs of students are heard and met. We have high school and college students voting and making decisions alongside adults on the Board of Directors.
We’d love to have you! CASC is able to provide a limited number of need-based scholarships for students to attend our programs; we distributed $33,000 in scholarships in 2024-2025 alone. Our funds aren’t unlimited, but we want to help. Check out our Scholarships page to apply, or contact CASC with questions.
If you are in a position to support CASC financially, your help could finance essential CASC operations and send students to CASC conferences they would otherwise be unable to attend. Any amount, small or big, can help students obtain a scholarship and have a life-changing experience. If you are an educator or mentor looking to offer your own support to students on their leadership journeys, check out our Advisor Resources page to get started, or reach out with questions. You can also ask to join our Membership Community as an advisor to connect with other adults and learn to support students together. If you are a professional or CASC alumni looking to support CASC as an advisor, please reach out to our director; we’d be happy to talk with you.
It’s based on your school’s location. CASC’s operations in California are divided into twelve regions, each with their own student leaders, and you can find yours on the Regions page.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The California Association of Student Councils (CASC) is committed to ensuring that CASC fosters an environment without discrimination or harassment based on race, age, ethnicity, religion, documentation status, sex, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, marriage status, socioeconomic background, or pregnancy.
CASC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Some financial records are publicly available through ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, and required documentation can be made available on request.
