CASC Members have influenced policy on large and small scales over decades.
leadership skills
CASC Makes a Difference
International Work
Students have: staffed global conferences, trained youth and adults abroad, presented documents to world leaders, and established youth exchange programs. CASC has been recognized as a model youth program by the International Youth Foundation.
CASC Abroad ›In the United States
Students have: designed training for national service executives and medical societies, facilitated discussions at universities, worked directly with members of US Congress, and advocated for student voices in legislative spaces. At least 12 bills introduced by CASC members to the California legislature have gone on to become law.
Legislative Work ›In California Schools
Members have led regular classroom lessons in leadership, contributed to the establishment of magnet schools, and trained peer mentors to lead enrichment programs and workshops such as Sacramento START and Menlo-Atherton’s Compass Program. Students have also secured a student voting position on the CA State Board of Education.
Our Work Over the Years
First meeting of students under the newly-formed CASC
Student Advisory Board on Education established; students can now propose changes in education policy to the State Board on Education
Position of student member on State Board of Education is established
The student member position is awarded voting privileges at the State Board of Education meeting
Agenda 21 and US-Soviet youth exchange.
CASC training and support lead to the founding of the Association of Young Leaders (AYL), the third non-profit organization formed in the newly-independent Russian States.
CASC staffs and participates at the Global Youth Summit at the Earth Summit in Rio and in the Earth Train environmental forum project, meeting with UN and Congressional leaders.
CASC staffs and participates in the Global Youth Forum at the State of the World Forums.
CASC designated by the Corporation for National Service as one of 3 organizations to design training for national service executives.
CASC again staffs the Global Youth Forum.
CASC facilitates the establishment of the Westside Leadership Magnet School in LA Unified School District, conducting classroom lessons in leadership 3 times a week for primary and elementary schools.
CASC co-designs and staffs the National Service Executive Institute for the Corporation for National Service.
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.
CASC trainers conduct programs in South Africa for adults working to reduce the spread of AIDS.
CASC leaders facilitate small-group sessions at the Family Re-Union Conference sponsored by Al and Tipper Gore at Vanderbilt University.
CASC and AYL members conduct training for youth facilitators for an environmental forum in Amori, Japan.
CASC begins multi-year training for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
SB 1422 (on student teacher evaluations) is passed following CASC development.
CASC conducts training for 40 Pakistani and English college students at University of Gujrat in Pakistan.
CASC hosts Staff Development Program at the University of Gujrat.
SB 532 and AB 1204 are passed following CASC development, placing a student member on school boards and the State Board of Education’s Instructional Quality Commission.
SB 468 and AB 261 (on supply student board member rights) are passed following CASC development.
AB 543 (on sexual harassment resources) is passed following CASC development )
AB 46 is passed following CASC development, founding the CA Youth Empowerment Commission founded to allow youth to engage directly with policymakers.
AB 367 (on menstrual product access) is passed following CASC development.
AB 748 and AB 1867 (on mental health resources and campus sustainability standards) are passed following CASC development.
SB 1445 (on restorative justice hearings) is passed following CASC development.
AB-49 (The Safe Haven Act) is passed following CASC development.
Legislative Work
CASC supports students in developing, introducing, and lobbying for education-related bills in the California state legislature. Since 2010, 12 of these have been transformed into bills and been signed into law.
All positions and ideas are created by students and developed through our SABE and SABLE programs. Topics have included immigration enforcement at schools, environmental sustainability of campuses, availability of mental health resources, and student representation in school government.
Learn More ›
CASC Bills
These bills, initially developed by CASC students participating in SABE and SABLE programs, were adopted by legislators and signed into California law.
CA Safe Haven Schools Act
Limits immigration enforcement activities on K-12 campuses, requiring a legal order before allowing immigration officers into nonpublic school areas and prohibiting the sharing of student information with immigration authorities without consent.
Read the Law
Restorative Justice
Allows student members of district governing boards to make recommendations in restorative justice decisions (such as expulsion hearings).
Read the Law
Mental Health Resources
Requires schools serving grades 6-12 to display mental health posters on campus, informing students of mental health tips and available resources.
Read the Law
Sustainable Plumbing Facilities
Requires schools to include plans for updating old plumbing infrastructure to CalGreen sustainability standards when planning modernization programs in the same indoor area.
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Menstrual Product Access
Requires all schools to provide free menstrual products to students in grades 6-12 in all-female restrooms, one men’s restroom, and every all-gender restroom.
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Youth Empowerment Commission
Creates California’s first Youth Empowerment Commission — a commission made up of youth throughout California that advises the Governor.
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Sexual Harrassment Resources
Requires schools to display their sexual harassment policy and resources on posters in public spaces.
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Student District Board Member Voting Rights
Grants preferential voting rights to student members serving on their district board.
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Student District Board Members
Mandates district boards to appoint a student board member when petitioned for by the student body.
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Student Representation on Instructional Quality Commission
Encourages the State Board of Education to appoint a student member to the Instructional Quality Commission.
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Student Feedback Surveys
Permits student governments (grades 9-12) to draft a survey by which students provide feedback to teachers.
Read the LawRecognition
Model Youth Program
By the International Youth Foundation
Model Self-Esteem Program
By the California Task Force on Self-Esteem
Training Organization
(For National Service Executives). Designated by the Corporation for National Service.
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