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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.
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
Coronavirus
April 10, 2020

New website offers tips for teachers about virtual special education

Teachers can share ideas and resources for serving special education students online.

Carolyn Jones
Coronavirus
April 7, 2020

Disability rights groups, school administrators spar over possible changes to special education laws

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos may recommend special education changes to Congress.

Carolyn Jones
Special Education
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
Teacher Voices
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
Coronavirus
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
Teacher Voices
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
Coronavirus
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
Coronavirus
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
Coronavirus
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
Special Education
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
Teacher Shortage
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
School Finance
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