San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) strives to provide students with innovative learning experiences and tools. Officials state that “communication and equitable access for all students is a priority, and the goal is for all students to have a voice.”
SBCSS Student Services has become one of the largest county offices of education operating special education programs in California and provides a full range of services to meet the needs of students with moderate to severe, low incidence, and mild to moderate disabilities.
The HUSD Superintendent, Dave Olney, discussed the spotlight the district is receiving regarding the latest in communication technology for students with special needs.
Olney stated that “Hesperia Unified is proud of its partnership with SBCSS in seeking innovative ways to meet the needs of all students. This is one amazing example of technology being used to change the lives of students with special needs and, as technological applications continue to expand, the partnership will continue to best serve children.”
One of the services provided is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which includes communication devices, systems, strategies, and tools that replace or support natural speech and communication.
Officials explained, “The needs of each student are tailored individually, providing them with a means to communicate, such as the Tobii Dynavox eye gaze device.”
SBCSS notes that several other students in classrooms with different devices and tools are learning to express what they need, feel, and want. The ability to offer and use technology has allowed students aged 8 to 12 to communicate through eye gaze and other methods.
“[It’s] just one example of how County Schools is working to transform lives through education,” stated SBCSS.
SBCSS provided statistics and facts pertaining to students in special education.
As of the latest census date (October 2021), County Schools reports supporting 2,144 Special Education Students. These are students with exceptional needs, including significant cognitive and physical disabilities, referred to County Schools by approximately 30 districts in San Bernardino County.
SBCSS emphasizes the importance of providing specialized instruction to support students and meet their individualized education program goals, operating 214 Special Education Classrooms on 78 sites across San Bernardino County.
Desert/Mountain Operations serves over 1,200 students in Infant (birth–3), PreK, and K–12+ Special Education Classrooms and programs. This region operates more than 110 classrooms and programs from the Victor Valley area to Trona, Big Bear, and Needles.
This region accounts for 50% of all SBCSS Special Education Programs. SBCSS reports that many Special Education students in the Desert/Mountain region require AAC.
During the current school year, over 100 AAC devices have been distributed to students, along with additional devices for Speech Language Pathologists to perform AAC determination trials.
Approximately 450 students in the Desert/Mountain region utilize high-tech and low-tech AAC, including iPads with communication apps, Tobii Dynavox Eye Gaze, Smartbox Grid Pad, and Go Talk.