Special Education

November 8, 2019

California spending over $13 billion annually on special education

A new Legislative Analyst’s Office report is intended to provide a “high level review” for the Legislature as it considers overdue reforms.

Louis Freedberg

October 2, 2019

Identifying developmental delays is target of new California law

The new law requires doctors to screen children enrolled in Medi-Cal for developmental delays three times before they turn 3.

Zaidee Stavely

May 28, 2019

California governor and lawmakers at odds over new special education funding

Legislators and advocates for students with disabilities praise the big increase that Gov. Newsom proposes for special education but reject his idea for spending it.

John Fensterwald

May 20, 2019

Lawsuit challenges use of restraint, seclusion in California special education school

The guardians of four special education students claim their children were illegally put in restraint holds and secluded.

Diana Lambert

May 9, 2019

Gov. Newsom proposes $90 million in scholarships for new teachers in revised budget

Gov. Newsom proposes more K-12, community college funds; loan forgiveness for new special education, math and science teachers.

John Fensterwald

January 10, 2019

Windfall for California K-12 schools, more spending from early to higher ed in Newsom's first budget

Newsom would increase spending for education from early to higher ed, including a path to full-day preschool for every low-income child and full-day kindergarten for all 5-year olds. A surprise for K-12 districts — pension-cost relief — would free up money to spend as they want.

John Fensterwald And Zaidee Stavely

August 31, 2018

California lawmakers pass limits on restraint and seclusion in schools

The bill would also reinstate requirements for schools to collect and report data on student restraint, and ban certain restraint techniques.

Nico Savidge

July 31, 2018

Q&A: Making playgrounds fully accessible for all kids

Olenka Villarreal is the founder and executive director of Magical Bridge Foundation, which creates inclusive playgrounds that everyone can use, including young people with disabilities.

Erin Brownfield

May 3, 2018

African-American students with disabilities suspended at disproportionately high rates

Report finds those students lose substantially more instruction time due to discipline than their white counterparts.

Lee Romney

April 10, 2018

Illuminating science for blind students, with help from latest tech devices

The technology, combined with supportive teachers, has opened the door to science careers.

Carolyn Jones

March 22, 2018

First time superintendent, in just his second year, faces demands to quickly improve student learning

Matthew Duffy said his primary goals are raising student achievement and reducing teacher turnover.

Theresa Harrington

March 8, 2018

Special education funding is a morass; straightening it out may not be cheap or easy

Lawmakers take the first step: discussing the growing needs and disparities in funding.

John Fensterwald

February 14, 2018

With support instead of punishment, a California school district works to improve special education 

County offices of education are working with districts identified for "differentiated assistance" due to poor performance by student subgroups.

Theresa Harrington

January 18, 2018

California lags behind most states in providing timely services to infants and toddlers

A new report recommends the state combine services under one agency to increase equity and reduce delays.

Ashley Hopkinson

January 9, 2018

Gov. Brown proposes ambitious education agenda in his final state budget

Infusion of revenue for K-12 should enable him to finish paying for Local Control Funding Formula ahead of schedule.

John Fensterwald