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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.
April 3, 2020

Communication, persistence are key for teaching special education online

Tips, advice, and encouragement were offered at the state's first webinar on special education during school closures.

Carolyn Jones
April 2, 2020

'It’s a Small World': Orange County teachers inspire deaf and hard of hearing students [VIDEO]

Teachers heard students were missing school and wanted to let students know they were being missed, too.

Carolyn Jones
April 1, 2020

Special education inconsistent in California school districts during closures

Some have already launched online learning, while others are still in the planning phase.

Carolyn Jones
March 26, 2020

Schools must quickly find ways to offer remote learning

Schools and teachers must focus on creative, workable solutions to provide their students with education during school closures.

Ally Markovich
March 24, 2020

Despite assurances of flexibility, educators fear liability in online instruction of special ed students 

Some districts had cut back on services for disabled students out of fear of lawsuits over equity.

Carolyn Jones
March 20, 2020

Proposed coronavirus federal aid package could disrupt special education

Senate bill could open the door for districts to waive federal special education law.

Carolyn Jones
March 19, 2020

California students enrolled in special education face unique burdens during school closure

The loss of specialized services and daily routine poses challenges for California’s 800,000 students in special education.

Carolyn Jones
February 18, 2020

Special education in California in need of overhaul, researchers say  

Better training for teachers and improved screening of children are among the report’s recommendations.

Carolyn Jones
January 10, 2020

Amid shortages, schools settle for underprepared special education teachers

The number of new special education teachers working without a full credential hit 5,196 in 2017-18 — the highest number in a decade.

Diana Lambert
November 21, 2019

‘Moderate’ funding increase predicted for California schools, community colleges in 2020-21

A recession is still a ways off, says the Legislative Analyst's Office; mandated costs will eat into an estimated $3.4 billion increase.

John Fensterwald
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
June 30, 2019

School’s out for summer and my kid will be carrying celery

Promoting understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities can reduce microaggressions, overt discrimination and harmful conflicts.

Sarah Taylor
June 20, 2019

What schools and parents need to know about California’s vaccination law: a quick guide

Proposed changes to California's 2015 vaccination law now being considered in the Legislature would limit medical exemptions.

Jane Meredith Adams And Diana Lambert
June 14, 2019

Pension relief, special education funding highlight Gov. Newsom's budget

Governor goes beyond minimum required under Proposition 98 to absorb $3.1 billion in districts' pension payments and address teacher shortage.

John Fensterwald