Students and staff back renaming SFUSD transition program from 'CAT' to 'Access'

San Francisco Unified School District administrators and transition-program students presented a proposal to permanently rename Community Access and Transition (commonly called "CAT") programs to "Access." Nicole Trickett, a special education administrator, said the current acronym confuses students, families and staff and does not reflect the program’s mission of community-based life and work preparation.

Multiple students from off-site transition programs described how the name "Access" better conveys adult learning and community inclusion. Benjamin, a student at an Access program, told the board: “When people hear the name CAT, they might think we are talking about the animal. But we aren’t pets, we are a school.” Other student speakers described job training, travel skills, and independence gained in the programs.

Commissioner Norton expressed support for the symbolic and practical importance of the renaming, saying it helps students feel respected as adults. The board moved to formally introduce the resolution; the item was referred to the appropriate committee for second reading and further action. The transcript shows recorded roll-call ayes during introduction.

The rename proposal also generated procedural discussion: the board attempted but failed to suspend rules for immediate action on one of the name-change items due to insufficient votes; the Access renaming was introduced and will return for committee consideration and a subsequent vote.