State Special Schools Director Named - Year 2011 (CA Dept of Education)

State Special Schools Director Named - Year 2011 (CA Dept of Education)

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces New Director to
Head Department's State Special Schools and Services Division

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced that Scott D. Kerby has been selected as Director of the California Department of Education's State Special Schools and Services Division.

"I am pleased that Scott is coming on board as our director of State Special Schools, bringing with him more than 30 years of teaching and administrative experience," said Torlakson. "Scott has already spent several years at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside so he is well-situated to understand and support the culture, issues, and structure of these vital communities."

In addition to the Riverside school, Kerby will be responsible for the California School for the Deaf in Fremont; the California School for the Blind in Fremont; and Diagnostic Centers located in Fremont, Fresno, and Los Angeles that provide a variety of direct services to individuals with special needs, their parents, and local educational agencies.

"I enthusiastically embrace this opportunity with an abiding faith in our State Special Schools and a confident conviction in the future of the students we serve," said Kerby. "I look forward to supporting the schools in their dedicated efforts in providing quality education and services to exceptional individuals."

Most recently, Kerby served as the Student Services Specialist at the School for the Deaf, Riverside; where from 1980 to 1989 at the beginning of his career he was the Athletic Director and Adapted Physical Education Specialist. For the past decade, he also has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Redlands. Prior, he has served as principal or vice principal at several elementary and middle schools in San Bernardino.

Kerby received a Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly, Pomona, and a Masters of Education from Azusa Pacific University. He holds a Life Single Subject Teaching Credential in Physical Education, a Clear Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential, and a Clear Administrative Services Credential.

He is succeeding Dr. Ron Kadish, who retired last year after serving 16 years as Director.

Related Content

• Diagnostic Centers - Provides comprehensive assessments to special education students and staff development and training services to local educational agencies (LEAs).
• School for the Blind - Provides intensive, disability specific educational services for pupils who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind, ages 3-22.
• Schools for the Deaf - Provides comprehensive educational programs to deaf and hard of hearing pupils, ages 3-22.

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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100