Announcements & Current Issues
Current and upcoming events, time-sensitive issues, and hot topics.Assembly Bill 130 Independent Study (Posted 05-Oct-2021)
Frequently Asked Questions related to Assembly 130.
Guidance on Conducting Individualized Determinations of Need for Students with Disabilities (Posted 01-Sep-2021)
This guidance provides support to local educational agencies in identifying factors to consider when conducting individualized determinations of need to address impacts to learning or services related to COVID–19 school disruptions, including examples of strategies to monitor pupil progress for purposes of conducting these determinations and guidance on the development of comprehensive individualized education programs that are responsive to identified student needs.
Senate Bill 75 Legislative Report (Posted 01-Oct-2020)
Report to the Legislature and the Department of Finance.
Information Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Services to Students with Disabilities (Posted 16-Mar-2020)
Official message from the State Director of Special Education addressing COVID-19 and its implications.
California Practitioners' Guide for Educating English Learners with Disabilities (PDF; 3MB; Updated 23-Mar-2021)
A guide to identifying, assessing, supporting, and reclassifying English learners with disabilities as required by Assembly Bill 2785, Chapter 579, Statutes of 2016.
California Practitioners' Guide for Educating English Learners with Disabilities Long Descriptions
Long descriptions for complex figures that are included in the California Practitioners’ Guide for Educating English Learners with Disabilities.
Surrogate Parents in California Special Education: An Overview (PDF; 3MB; Posted 02-Apr-2019)
An overview of federal and state statutes and regulations for use as a reference to assist local educational agencies in developing and implementing procedures for parental representation as required by Government Code Section 7579.5(m).
Surrogate Parents in California Special Education Training Module (PPTX; Posted 24-Jun-2019)
The training module to assist local educational agencies in developing and implementing procedures for parental representation as required by Government Code Section 7579.5(m).
2019 Annual State Application (Posted 11-Mar-2019)
Annual state application under Part B of the individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to be submitted by May 17, 2019.
New Law Regarding the Use of Restraint and Seclusion for Students in California
December 24, 2018: Letter to County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, Special Education Local Plan Area Directors, Special Education Administrators of County Offices of Education, Nonpublic School Administrators, State Diagnostic Center Directors, and Local Educational Agency Special Education Directors regarding Assembly Bill 2657 and disseminate it to your Special Education Local Plan Area Directors, Special Education Administrators, and other appropriate staff.
Identification of and provision of Service to Eligible Students in Adult County Jails (Posted 30-Nov-2018)
Letter to Special Education Local Plan Area and Local Educational Agency Directors to provide guidance on the obligation to identify and serve adults in county jails who remain eligible for special education.
SELPA Resource Lead Agency System
The Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Resource Leads are part of the California Statewide System of Support.
State Requirements Pertaining to the Use of Restraint and Seclusion as Behavioral Interventions
An overview of state statutes and federal policies on the use of restraint and seclusion and resources for technical assistance on the implementation of positive behavioral interventions and support.
2018 Annual State Application (Posted 14-May-2018)
Annual state application under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to be submitted by May 18, 2018.
Enrollment of Students with Disabilities in Charter Schools (Posted 02-Feb-2018)
An updated overview of legal requirements applicable to students with individualized education programs who are enrolled in charter schools. This letter replaces an earlier overview to reflect changes in law and to provide additional clarification.
Senate Bill 884 Legislative Report (Posted 12-Jan-2018)
Report to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office
Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group (Updated 04-Mar-2019)
Information about the Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group members, archived meetings, current law, and related documents and organizations.
Unified English Braille (UEB) Implementation Plan for California (Posted 21-Jul-2015)
The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) recently adopted Unified English Braille (UEB) as the authoritative set of rules for teaching and reading Braille, effective January 4, 2016. We encourage school Administrators, teachers and other educational staff who serve visually impaired students to become familiar with changes in Braille usage that are resulting from the transition to UEB.
California Special Education Reference (CASER)
(Posted 22-Jan-2015)
A word-searchable database of special education-related state and federal statutes and regulations, federal guidance documents, and editions of the Federal Register.
Behavioral Intervention Plans (Updated 08-Oct-2014)
Current law, guidance, and resources for addressing the needs of students requiring behavioral support.
Transition of Special Education and Related Services Formerly Provided by County Mental Health Agencies (Updated 08-Oct-2014)
(Assembly Bill 114, Chapter 43, Statutes of 2011)
Employment Opportunity (Posted 12-Aug-2009)
Professional Team Opportunity: Join In
