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Student Well-Being
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.
Commentary
December 3, 2021

L.A. Unified's next leader must pursue police-free schools and truly engage the community

We need a superintendent who will treat students, families and communities as partners and not ignore or dismiss us.

Marshé Doss and Joseph Williams
Special Education
November 5, 2021

California students with disabilities can enroll in independent study, judge rules

Some California students with disabilities had been shut out of school this year because independent study wasn't in their learning plans.

Carolyn Jones
State Education Policy
October 8, 2021

California independent study sparks equity concerns for students with disabilities

Independent study does not always provide services to students with special needs who can't attend in-person classes, families say.

Carolyn Jones
Discipline
September 14, 2021

ACLU sues Bay Area school district over ‘separate, unequal and illegal’ special education program

Lawsuit: Black students and English learners in Pittsburg Unified are disproportionately shunted into special education and subject to harsh discipline.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
July 30, 2021

Special education funding should be more streamlined, report finds

Funding should be based on students' needs, not attendance, to help achieve more equitable academic outcomes, researchers say.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
July 22, 2021

How California plans to deter costly special education disputes

A new initiative is meant to help parents and schools settle Covid-related disputes over services for students before heading to court.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
July 2, 2021

Special education sees 'historic' boost in new funding

California will get over $1 billion in state and federal funding for students with disabilities, many of whom struggled in distance learning.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
May 10, 2021

What happens when California students in special education return to the classroom?

The forecast is mixed for special education students. Many will be behind academically, but some thrived with distance learning.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
February 16, 2021

Special education teachers grapple with risks of in-person classes: ‘An impossible choice’

Students who won’t wear masks or socially distance create for a “nerve-wracking” work environment.

Carolyn Jones
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