EXPLORE: Coronavirus updatesCollege and Covid: Freshman Year DisruptedQuick Guides
Student Wellbeing
Topic

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
November 30, 2020

Less siloed, more inclusive: Changes to special education teacher preparation expected to have big impact on schools

Under the new standards, special education teachers will be able to co-teach in “mainstream” classrooms.

Carolyn Jones
Policy & Finance
November 20, 2020

Why special education advocates are hopeful about the Biden administration

As a candidate, Biden promised full funding of programs that benefit students with disabilities.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
October 5, 2020

Special education funding should be less isolated, have more accountability, report finds

Schools can save money by combining services and blending funding, a new special education report says.

Carolyn Jones
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