California Department of Education,
Special Education Resources

Information and resources from CDE regarding guidance and distance learning related to Special Education. More information can be found directly at the CDE Coronavirus (COVID) response page.

Official Messages, Communication, and Question/Answers

• Assembly Bill 130 Independent Study Frequently Asked Questions (1/20/22)
  Frequently Asked Questions related to Assembly Bill 130.
• Guidance on Conducting Individualized Determinations of Need for Students with Disabilities (9/1/21)
  This guidance provides support to local educational agencies in identifying factors to consider when conducting individualized determinations of need to address impacts to learning or services related to Coronavirus (COVID–19) school disruptions, including examples of strategies to monitor pupil progress for purposes of conducting these determinations and guidance on the development of comprehensive individualized education programs that are responsive to identified student needs.
• Letter from Heather Calomese, Director of the Special Education Division: Information Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) COVID–19 and Special Education Dispute Resolution (December 22, 2020)
  Information about alternative dispute resolution, state mediation and complaints, and due process mediation and hearings.
• OSEP COVID-19 Questions & Answers: Implementation of IDEA Part C Provision of Services (10/21/2020)
  Questions and Answers (Q&A) document in response to inquiries concerning implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C provision of services in the current COVID-19 environment.
• OSEP COVID-19 Questions & Answers: Implementation of IDEA Part B Provision of Services (9/28/20)
  Questions and Answers (Q&A) document in response to inquiries concerning implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B provision of services in the current COVID-19 environment.
• Learning Loss Mitigation Funding
  Funds for local educational agencies (LEAs) to support academic achievement and mitigate learning loss related to COVID-19 school closures.
• 2020 Budget Act and Special Education (July 15, 2020)
  The purpose of this notice is to outline some notable changes related to special education and distance learning enacted with the 2020 Budget Act.
• Implementation Tool: Guidance on Diagnostic and Formative Assessments (July 7, 2020)
  Offers many tools and strategies for taking a snapshot of students’ learning.
• Guidance Regarding Regulations for Special Education Compliance Complaints (June 26, 2020)
  The purpose of this memo is to provide guidance on some key clarifications and/or changes in the state regulations.
• Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) COVID-19 Questions & Answers: Implementation of IDEA Parts B and C Dispute Resolution Procedures IDEA Part B and IDEA Part C (June 22, 2020)
• Department of Developmental Services Directive - Extension of Early Start Services waiving certain requirements of the California Early Intervention Services Act (June 15, 2020)
• Stronger Together: A Guidebook for the Safe Reopening of California's Public Schools (June 8, 2020)
• FAQs on Grading and Graduation Requirements (May 6, 2020)
• COVID-19 School Closures and Services to Students with Disabilities (April 9, 2020)
• General FAQs for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (March 27, 2020)
• Official Message from the State Director of Special Education (March 22, 2020)
• Letter from Kristin Wright, Director of the Special Education Division: Information Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Services to Students with Disabilities (March 13, 2020)
• Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak (US Department of Education March 2020)

Distance Learning Resources, Virtual Town Halls, and Support Circles

• Distance Learning Frequently Asked Questions
  Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Distance Learning pursuant to Education Code 43500-43511.
• Distance Learning Innovations for Special Education: California Department of Education (CDE) stakeholder workgroup gathered innovative strategies, ideas and resources that others have found successful as they provide access to students with disabilities in distance learning and the imminent reopening of schools. (Spring 2020)
• Student Support Circle (May 21, 2020)
• Superintendent Thurmond Hosts First Virtual Student Support Circle (May 21, 2020)
• Conversation about COVID-19 Impact with Kristin Wright, State Director of Special Education (May 4, 2020)
• Superintendent Thurmond Hosts First Virtual Parent Support Circle (April 30, 2020)
• Parent Support Circle Webinar (April 29, 2020)

Webinars

Innovations in Special Education Webinar Series from the California Department of Education

• Related Services, Students with More Significant Disabilities, and Low Incidence Supports (April 30, 2020)
      Notes from the Webinar
• Addressing Mental Health and Behavior - Facebook version (April 23, 2020)
      Notes from the Webinar
• How to Stay Engaged With Young Students as well as Older Teenagers in Transition While Our Physical School Sites and Employers Are Closed (April 16, 2020)
      Notes from the Webinar
• Engaging Families (April 9, 2020)
      Notes from the Webinar
• Best Practices in Distance Ed for Students with Special Needs (April 2, 2020)   
      Notes from the Webinar

Additional Webinars in the Distance Learning Series related to Special Education

• Deaf Education Distance Learning (May 14, 2020)
• Universal Design for Learning (April 24, 2020)
      Notes from the Webinar

Supporting You Supporting Students Series - Mental Health

• Supporting You Supporting Students Webinar Series - CDE and Wellness Together School Mental Health (Part 1: April 9; Part 2: April 16; Part 3: April 23; Part 4: April 30, 2020)

Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE)

The Commission is an advisory body required by Federal (20 USC 1412[a][21]) and State Statute (EC 33590-6). The ACSE provides recommendations and advice to the State Board of Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Legislature, and the Governor in new or continuing areas of research, program development and evaluation in California special education. Upcoming meeting agendas and past recordings are available.