On Wednesday, December 3, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) was honored with its first California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award in more than a decade, recognizing the district’s Preschool Inclusion Initiative as an exemplary and transformative early learning program.
Now in its 46th year, the CSBA Golden Bell Awards promote excellence in education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding programs and practices that respond to the evolving needs of students across California. In the current award cycle, CSBA received 263 submissions across 23 categories, each rigorously reviewed by panels of experts from school districts and county offices of education statewide. Only a select number of programs earned this distinction, underscoring the significance of PYLUSD’s achievement.
The award recognizes PYLUSD’s Preschool Inclusion Initiative, a bold, multi-year effort designed to transform early learning experiences for young children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). In May 2022, the PYLUSD Board of Education adopted an Inclusion Board Resolution presented by the Special Education Department, formally launching a three-year initiative focused on inclusive practices, equity, and improved outcomes for preschool learners with disabilities.
A central objective of the initiative was the development of a strategic partnership with a community preschool to bring inclusive early education into practice. In 2021, Valerie Padilla, Director of Center and Program Operations, and Jessica Thompson, Inclusion Specialist for Orange County Head Start, approached the PYLUSD Special Education Department with a proposal to establish a co-taught preschool model at the Orange County Head Start site located on the Topaz campus. This partnership required the alignment of two complex systems: Head Start, governed by federally funded regulations and overseen by the California Department of Social Services, and public-school special education services, mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and monitored by the California Department of Education.
Aligning these systems involved extensive coordination related to enrollment procedures, licensing requirements, staffing models, operational logistics, and differing academic calendars. Through sustained collaboration and shared commitment, these challenges were successfully addressed, culminating in the launch of the Orange County Topaz Head Start co-taught classroom during the 2022–2023 school year—the first program of its kind in Orange County.
The impact of the co-taught model has been significant. Data demonstrate substantial improvements in outcomes for children with IEPs transitioning from preschool to elementary school, particularly in access to general education settings. Prior to implementation, only 10 percent of students exiting the district’s special education preschool program in the 2021–2022 school year were recommended for placement in general education classrooms. By the 2024–2025 school year, that figure had increased to 40 percent, reflecting meaningful progress toward inclusive educational practices.
Qualitative feedback from families and staff further affirms the program’s effectiveness. One parent noted that the opportunity for their child to learn alongside peers in a general education environment, supported by two teachers and consistent communication, had a profound impact on their child’s growth and success. A veteran education specialist reflected on a shift in professional perspective, emphasizing that inclusion expanded the definition of “typical” and reinforced the belief that educational environments should adapt to children, rather than requiring children to fit narrow expectations.
Building on the success of the Head Start partnership, the district expanded the initiative through collaboration between the Special Education Department and the Early Learning team. During the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 school years, two additional co-taught classrooms were established within the district’s fee-based preschool programs, further embedding inclusive practices across PYLUSD’s early learning landscape.
The district also recognized the collective leadership and collaboration that made the initiative possible. Special acknowledgment was extended to Jessica Thompson and the Orange County Head Start team for leading a groundbreaking partnership that demonstrated the power of collaboration across systems. Co-teachers Alicia Brown and Dede Mitchell were recognized for their sustained commitment to inclusive practices and daily efforts to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students. District preschool leadership, including Dr. George Lopez, Executive Director of Early & Expanded Education, and Sylvia Cuesta, Director of Early Childhood Education, were acknowledged for institutionalizing co-taught models across existing and newly opened preschool programs.
Additional recognition was given to preschool leadership and teaching teams from Wagner, Linda Vista, Morse, and Glenview Preschools, whose collective efforts supported high-quality implementation. A special acknowledgment was also extended to Joy Goodrich, Preschool Teacher on Special Assignment, for her leadership, advocacy, and ongoing support of staff throughout the initiative.
The Preschool Inclusion Initiative reflects the core belief of PYLUSD’s Special Education Department that every child deserves access to a high-quality, inclusive educational experience. By prioritizing collaboration, equity, and innovation in early learning, the district has demonstrated a moral and professional commitment to ensuring that inclusive opportunities begin at the very start of a child’s educational journey.
Click here to view the 2025 CSBA Golden Bell Awards program.
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