Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Governance and Accountability Policy Study - Legislative Report

This legislative report was required by the 2020 Budget Act and includes a study of governance and accountability policy in special education.
California Department of Education
Report to the Chairs of the Relevant Policy Committees and Budget Subcommittees of the Legislature, the Executive Director of the State Board of Education or Their Designee, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Director of Finance
Executive Summary

California Senate Bill 74, Budget Act of 2020, required the California Department of Education (CDE) to commission a study to examine the state’s current governance and accountability structures that support California students with an individualized education program (IEP). The study was intended to focus on the end goals of improved outcomes for students with an IEP and increasing special education services provided in the least restrictive environment.

For this study, governance is defined as education decision-making authority, along with the structures, policies, and tools through which an entity communicates its decisions and assigns authority and responsibility to other levels of the education system. Accountability is defined as education oversight — including structures, policies, and tools — created and implemented at federal, state, and local levels to evaluate and ensure compliance with legal requirements and to encourage implementation of recommended actions and best practices for improvement, all for the purpose of meeting established goals.

If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact the Special Education Division by email at SEDINFO@cde.ca.gov.

You will find this report on the California Department of Education Special Education Division web page.

Governance and Accountability Policy Study (PDF; 8MB)

Questions:   Special Education Division | SEDINFO@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Trending in Special Education
Recently Posted in Special Education
  • California Special Education Local Plan Areas (updated 17-Jul-2026)
    Service area covered by a special education local plan and the governance structure created under any of the planning options of Section 56205, 56206, 56208, 56211, 56213, 56241, 56243, 56244, & 56245 of the Education Code.
  • Complaint Process (updated 17-Jul-2026)
    The special education complaint process with federal and state law resource links.
  • California Dyslexia Guidelines (PDF) (updated 17-Jul-2026)
    Assembly Bill (AB) 1369 requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop program guidelines for dyslexia. The guidelines will be used to assist educators and parents to identify, assess and support pupils with
  • Nonpublic Schools Certification Data (updated 17-Jul-2026)
    The Nonpublic Schools Certification Data contains information regarding those currently certified by the California Department of Education to serve students.
  • Equitable Services for Students with Disabilities (updated 17-Jul-2026)
    Equitable services provisions and proportionate share calculation are required for students aged 3-21, parentally placed in private school. Local Educational Agencies have an obligation to locate and evaluate all students within their boundaries.