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Student Wellbeing
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Special Education

One in 10 students receives special education services, which include using different approaches to learning, offering emotional support and providing medical assistance. Learning disabilities such as dyslexia and dyscalculia (difficulty learning math) represent the largest category of California students in special education – about 45 percent.
Special Education
September 28, 2020

Some schools now open for small special education classes

Debate swirls over safety and liability as some high-needs students head back to the classroom.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
September 18, 2020

For California’s new head of special education, ‘nothing is insurmountable’

Heather Calomese talks to EdSource about distance learning, social justice and the future of special education.

Carolyn Jones
Coronavirus
August 26, 2020

California issues rules for opening schools to high-needs students

Special education, homeless and foster students are priority groups that can return in separate cohorts with up to 14 children and two adults.

John Fensterwald
Special Education
August 17, 2020

As school starts, California districts try to improve virtual special education

Parents are skeptical that distance learning will ever work for children with disabilities.

Carolyn Jones
High-needs students
August 14, 2020

California schools allowed to open for small groups with ’acute’ needs under new guidance

Forthcoming guidance permitting limited openings will apply to districts in counties on the coronavirus watch list, where schools are shut down.

John Fensterwald
Policy & Finance
August 7, 2020

Why special education funding will be more equitable under new state law

The state plans to spend an additional $650 million on special education under new law.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
June 26, 2020

Special education would get big boost under Biden proposal

Full funding, teacher recruitment and early childhood programs are included in a wide-ranging disability platform.

Carolyn Jones
Coronavirus
June 3, 2020

Most California districts would get more in federal aid than they’d lose in budget cuts

Districts are anticipating billions more in unfunded costs to reopen schools. They want some of the money they'll need to be distributed more evenly than Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes.

John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis
Coronavirus
May 27, 2020

With masks and social distance, these special ed students have already returned to school

Small special day class in Marin County gets a jump start on return to school.

Louis Freedberg
Special Education
May 27, 2020

Virtual special education meetings popular in some districts, but a major hurdle in others

At some schools, online parent meetings have been nearly impossible.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
May 13, 2020

Democrats ask for $12 billion for special education in next coronavirus bill

The additional money would pay for extra staff to help students with disabilities catch up after schools reopen.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
May 1, 2020

California parents of special education students find ways to cope with unique challenges during school closures

With no routine and limited access to services, students and their families are feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

Carolyn Jones
Coronavirus
April 27, 2020

Federal special education law must stay intact during school closures, DeVos says

School districts had asked for temporary waivers from special education law to avoid lawsuits from parents.

Carolyn Jones
Commentary
April 20, 2020

Congress should grant schools flexibility in implementing special education laws

During this public health crisis, schools need freedom to provide best education possible for all students, Special Education expert says.

Miriam Kurtzig Freedman
Special Education
April 17, 2020

California should push harder for special education during school closures, disability rights groups say

The California Department of Education has provided guidance for districts, schools, teachers and parents of students in special education.

Carolyn Jones