On November 2, 2022, the Special Education Committee reconvened for their second meeting. The Division of Special Education staff provided an update on the Reclassification Process for Students with Disabilities.
We learned that the California Education Code identifies four required criteria for reclassification, they are:
1) Assessment of English Language Proficiency
2) Teacher Evaluation
3) Parent Opinion and consultation
4) Comparison of student performance in basic skills
For the last 20 years, the Division of Special Education has worked with the Multilingual & Multicultural Education Department to support students and families. According to Education Code, the District must test students within 30 days for initial LPAC. Students who are non-verbal or have an intellectual disability have other options and don’t necessarily have to be on the same timeline for testing as the rest of the students.
To ensure that recoupment is discussed in the IEP, Section N was added. Our Division leaders also reassured us that they will continue to provide supports to school staff so they can provide more resources and clarity to our parents on various processes.
The second presentation focused on the Special Education Action Plan as mentioned in the Strategic Plan. Dr. Luna reviewed the Divisions priorities and goals as it relates to the five pillars. The priorities are:
1) High Quality Instruction
2) College and Career Readiness
3) Eliminating Opportunity Gaps
4) Strong Social Emotional Skills
5) Welcoming Learning Environments (3B)?
Some of the strategies or initiatives to measure success on the priorities will be to:
1) Move students in grades 3-8 on average 10 points closer to proficiency in SBA Math and ELA, promote and increase the use of interim assessments and progress monitoring for students with disabilities
2) Increase participation of students with disabilities in Career Pathway Opportunities
3) Increase the percentage of students with disabilities who are in the general education program at least 80% of the school day to 62%, provide targeted, tiered, support to schools on their inclusion goals
4) Development of guidance to IEP teams regarding student participation, create a student led video on how to participate in IEPs.
5) Create a video library on LAUSD teachers using best practices.
Lastly, we learned that the Division of Special Education has a Twitter account- @LausdSPED, if you would like to receive information on things happening at the SPED Division please follow the page.
Our next meeting was scheduled for January 4, 2022 at 5 p.m. but because families will still be on vacation break, we have changed the date to January 11, 2022 at 5 p.m. If there are any topics that you would like the committee to address, please send me an email at Scott.Schmerelson@lausd.net