The Student Advisory Board of Education Conference
by Ryan Park
Attending the Student Advisory Board of Education (SABE) conference was an incredible experience, as I had the opportunity to represent my school district before the California Department of Education. But what even is SABE, and how can you attend the next session?
SABE is a conference hosted in Sacramento by the California Association of Student Councils (CASC), a student-led non-profit organization providing leadership and civic engagement. Attendees must first submit an application on the CASC website, as there is only a limited number of delegates. The purpose of SABE is to gather seventy-five students from across California to create and present educational reform proposals to the California Department of Education (CDE).
Last year’s conference was from November 3rd to the 5th, and it is split into three days: brainstorming, writing, and presenting. The very first day of CASC is a learning experience, where you get to find out more about the CDE and the role they have in shaping our education. Delegates are then split into different groups where they brainstorm different ideas and concerns they feel the CDE should address. By the second day, each group has finalized their idea and is now ready to start writing their proposals to the Board of Education. Delegates are also sent to the state capital in Sacramento to meet state legislators and representatives to receive feedback and recommendations on their draft proposals. After returning from the Capitol, delegates then spend the rest of the afternoon rewriting their proposals and preparing their speeches to the Board. The last day is the most important, with a special meeting inside the California Department of Education building. Delegates are allowed to present their proposals in front of the Board, in hopes of making a difference in their education. The Board listens to each proposal and later votes on whether or not it chooses to support it. These proposals are also included in a separate conference called SABLE, the Student Advisory Board on Legislation Education, where future delegates will work with policymakers to create bills.
The conference also has another role, and that is electing the next California Student Board Member (SBM). The California SBM is a student representative for the CDE, giving student input in policy decisions. The California SBM represents 6 million students across California, making it an extremely important position.
SABE was an amazing experience where I had the opportunity to meet students from across California while learning about educational policy. This conference has been around for more than forty years, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to become more involved with student advocacy, student government, and politics.
For more information on the California Association of Student Councils, click here
To apply to become the 2026-27 Student Member of the State Board of Education, click here