The Special Education Opportunity report was conducted by School Innovations & Advocacy during the 2010-2011 school year. Results were reported to the Board of Trustees November 17, 2011.

Special Education Opportunity Report - 2011-12

The District provides several Special Education programs, including Special Day Classes and Resource Specialist Programs. The Program Specialist is involved in many varied activities necessary to the provision of needed support services.
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Resource Specialist Program
Special Day Class Program
Speech and Language Program

Parent Special Ed Handbook 
Parent Special Ed Handbook - Spanish

Resource Specialist Program

Resource Specialist Program (RSP) services are provided for children who have learning handicaps. These children may exhibit behavior disorders, emotional problems, or mental retardation, but they receive their primary education in the regular classroom.

The District employs 25 full-time equivalent RSP teachers and they provide services as specified in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to all identified students. RSP teachers serve as members of Child Study and IEP Teams and they provide consultative services to regular education teachers.

These pupils are helped through restructured classes, small groups, or by means of individualized instruction. The RSP teacher's caseload may be no larger than 28 pupils. RSP teachers who hold dual credentials may be assigned to restructured programs in which they teach a class of regular education and special students during a portion of the day.

Special Day Class Program

Special Day Classes (SDCs) are provided for children who are identified as having learning handicaps, behavior disorders, emotional disturbances, mental retardation, or severe disorders of language and whose educational needs require a more restrictive environment. The District maintains two pre-school Special Day Classes, eleven SDC classes at the K-5 level and seven at the 6-8 level, each staffed with a teacher and an aide. Children placed in these classes spend all or a large portion of their school day with the special education teacher.

Transportation to and from school is available for students who attend Special Day Classes. Special Education categorical funds are provided by the State of California to support this program

Speech and Language Program

The District employs speech and language therapists to serve the needs of all referred children (from grade 3 to grade 8 students) who meet state eligibility criteria. Each therapist also provides consultation and diagnostic assistance through membership in school level Child Study Teams.

The speech and language therapists’ responsibilities include:

1. Diagnose, evaluate, and plan a program of remediation based on the child’s maturity and severity of the problem
2. Establish a speech and language program in each school
3. Help parents and teachers understand and assist their children
4. Consult with other members of the Student Services Department staff to assure that specific speech/language needs can be integrated with the total needs of the child
5. Consult with regular education personnel regarding adaptation of program and curriculum
6. Conduct speech and language assessments of students who are referred, and participate as a member of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team in making decisions regarding the student’s needs
7. Determine the best way to meet the needs of the greatest number of students.